'They're freaking cowards': Reps. Bowman and Massie clash at Capitol over gun legislation

At the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Democratic congressman and former principal Jamaal Bowman and Republican congressman Thomas Massie had a heated exchange over passing gun legislation. Massie walked over to Bowman after the New Yorker said Republicans were “freaking cowards.” Democrats are pushing for an assault weapons ban after seven people, including a shooter, were killed in a mass shooting incident at a private Christian elementary school in Nashville on Monday.

Video Transcript

JAMAAL BOWMAN: --freaking cowards. They're gutless. We're not here--

THOMAS MASSIE: What are you talking about?

JAMAAL BOWMAN: I'm talking about gun violence.

THOMAS MASSIE: You know there's never been--

JAMAAL BOWMAN: I'm talking about gun violence.

THOMAS MASSIE: --a school shooting in a school that allows teachers to carry.

JAMAAL BOWMAN: Carry guns? You think-- more guns leads to more death.

THOMAS MASSIE: Would you [INAUDIBLE]?

JAMAAL BOWMAN: More guns lead to more death. Look at the data. You're not looking at any data. You're, you're carrying the water for the gun lobby.

THOMAS MASSIE: No, no.

JAMAAL BOWMAN: Look at the data. More guns lead to more deaths. Guns-- states that have open carry laws have more deaths.

THOMAS MASSIE: In every school that allows--

JAMAAL BOWMAN: States that have open carry laws--

THOMAS MASSIE: --there's never been a shooting.

JAMAAL BOWMAN: --have more deaths.

THOMAS MASSIE: There's never been a shooting.

JAMAAL BOWMAN: Are you listening to what I'm saying?

THOMAS MASSIE: Yeah, calm down.

JAMAAL BOWMAN: That's-- why-- calm down? Children are dying! Nine-year-old children. The solution is not arming teachers. Have you ever worked in a school? Have you ever worked in a school? Have you ever worked in a school? Have you ever worked in a school? It's a yes or no question.

THOMAS MASSIE: Every--

JAMAAL BOWMAN: Have you ever worked in a school? You will not answer my question. Don't stop and talk to me.

THOMAS MASSIE: You're screaming.

JAMAAL BOWMAN: OK, I'll bring it down a notch.

THOMAS MASSIE: All right, folks.

JAMAAL BOWMAN: Have you ever worked in a school?

THOMAS MASSIE: I've got a bill to repeal--

JAMAAL BOWMAN: I have worked in the school for 20 years. I was a teach-- I was speaking before you came and interrupted me. I worked in a school for 20 years. I worked in a school 20 years. I was a teacher. I was a school counselor. I was a middle school principal. I was in [INAUDIBLE] protecting kids every day of my career.

Silence. Silence. He can't even answer a yes or no question. Ask him, why won't they pass legislation? Ask him the question. Ask him right now. Make him answer.

THOMAS MASSIE: Every school that--