After hearing of Monday’s mass shooting at the Washington D.C. Navy Yard, University of Kansas journalism professor David Guth took to Twitter to lay blame for the massacre on the National Rifle Association.
“#NavyYardShooting The blood is on the hands of the #NRA,” tweeted Guth, an associate professor at KU’s William Allen White School of Journalism.
“Next time, let it be YOUR sons and daughters. Shame on you. May God damn you.”
Twitter users fired back at Guth, tweeting that it was shameful to call for the deaths of children. Guth stood by his remarks, tweeting, “God’s justice takes many forms.”
Guth later elaborated on the comments on his personal blog
“I don’t wish what happened today on anyone,” Guth wrote. “But if it does happen again – and it likely will – may it happen to those misguided miscreants who suggest that today’s death toll at the Navy Yard would have been lower if the employees there were allowed to pack heat.”
“His statements are outrageous,” Patricia Stoneking, president of the Kansas State Rifle Association, told KCTV 5. “Any person with such a vile and contemptuous attitude who has influence over our children as a professor does should be immediately fired.”
Stoneking argued that Guth’s rhetoric could influence a “mentally unstable individual.”
KU issued a statement Thursday, distancing itself from Guth.
“Professor Guth’s views do not represent our school,” said Ann Brill, dean of the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications. “We do not advocate violence directed against any group or individuals.”
It is unclear whether Professor Guth will face disciplinary action.