Kentucky Congressman Faces Backlash for Pro-Gun Family Christmas Photo on Twitter

Before sending out Christmas cards, many families pose for family photos, one or more of which will be included on a custom holiday photo card. Sometimes families choose to wear Christmas colors like red and green or pose in front of a festive backdrop like a Christmas tree. Other times, families decide to do something a little bit more creative to show their sense of humor or personality.
Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie recently shared a Christmas photo of his family on Twitter. It was the type of photo you would typically find on a custom photo card. He and his wife and children were all posed, smiling and looking at the camera. There was a Christmas tree in the background, but honestly, we barely even noticed the tree.
Massie and his family didn’t take a typical Christmas photo despite the posed picture and the tree behind them. They were each holding something that made the photo a lot more controversial. Each member of the family was holding a gun. In the caption on the photo, Massie wrote, “Merry Christmas! ps. Santa, please bring ammo.”
Merry Christmas! 🎄 ps. Santa, please bring ammo. 🎁 pic.twitter.com/NVawULhCNr
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) December 4, 2021
The photo currently has more than 82,000 likes, but many Twitter users feel that this photo is inappropriate and insensitive. Some Twitter users pointed to school shootings as one reason this photo was not in good taste.
This is disgusting.It would be under any circumstance but knowing what just transpired in Michigan, it is especially so.There are parents in MI who won’t have their kids with them this Christmas.Why?Because a classmate gunned them down at school.Take this down.You monster.
— Jo (@JoJoFromJerz) December 4, 2021
Last week, 4 beautiful young kids had no idea that they were celebrating their last Thanksgiving with their families.My question for you is: What part of your family picture is “ Merry” & has anything to do with Christmas & birth of the original, anti violence man on earth?
— truth diviner😷 (@truthdiviner) December 4, 2021
What on earth are you thinking posting this Christmas greeting with your entire family armed like you are in some folksy video game? The four students shot to death in Michigan haven’t even been buried yet. Shame on you as a public official. No need to tell us your party.
— Barbara Malmet (@B52Malmet) December 4, 2021
Some Twitter users shared photos of their children who have been killed due to gun violence.
@RepThomasMassie, this is my son Christian, who was killed by a gun on 9/5/21. Perhaps you can reflect on the meaning of the Christmas season and find empathy in your heart for families like mine that will have an empty place in our Christmas photo due to senseless gun violence. pic.twitter.com/wxlu475mHU
— Bruce Petillo (@BrucePetillo) December 5, 2021
.@RepThomasMassie, since we are sharing family photos, here are mine. One is the last photo that I ever took of Jaime, the other is where she is buried because of the Parkland school shooting.The Michigan school shooter and his family used to take photos like yours as well. pic.twitter.com/MsQWneJXAp
— Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) December 4, 2021
Do you think this pro-gun Christmas photo should be taken down?