Parkland students respond to criticism from GOP lawmaker: ‘We’re gonna vote you out’

Several students from the Florida school attacked by a gunman in February are responding to criticism from Republican lawmaker Rep. Steve King (Iowa) by warning him they will help vote him out of office.

King suggested on Monday that the high school activists who believe the minimum age requirement to buy a gun should be raised to 21 shouldn’t be allowed to vote.

“If you are a teenager & believe you won’t be responsible enough to own a gun until 21, why should you vote before 21?”

If you are a teenager & believe you won’t be responsible enough to own a gun until 21, why should you vote before 21?

— Steve King (@SteveKingIA) March 26, 2018

{mosads} Jaclyn Corin, one of the students from Marjory Douglas Stoneman High School in Parkland, Fla., suggested the students would work to organize opposition to King ahead of this fall’s midterm election.

“We’re gonna vote you out, Steve,” she tweeted.

We’re gonna vote you out, Steve. https://t.co/zP4PKDrBOF

— Jaclyn Corin (@JaclynCorin) March 26, 2018

A number of the Parkland students helped organize last weekend’s march for gun control in Washington, and several have become well-known activists for new restrictions on firearms.

David Hogg, one of the best-known of the Parkland students, accused King of seeking to divide people.  

Maybe because so many of us are gunned down before we even become 21 @SteveKingIA you prove exactly why so many American’s are done with politicians like you who only have the goal of dividing America to make us weaker. https://t.co/uInfoCNLlb

— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) March 27, 2018

Hogg also wanted to know “who’s running against this guy.”

Also who’s running against this guy

— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) March 26, 2018

King’s opponent, Democrat J.D. Scholten, also took to twitter to express his outrage at King “picking fights with teenagers.”

“If you’re the Representative of #IA04 why are you picking fights with teenagers when your district is anxiously awaiting the Farm Bill? Or maybe try to find solutions to the recent Chinese tariffs on pork and soybeans? #Options #DoYourJob”

If you’re the Representative of #IA04 why are you picking fights with teenagers when your district is anxiously awaiting the Farm Bill? Or maybe try to find solutions to the recent Chinese tariffs on pork and soybeans? #Options #DoYourJob https://t.co/p09ick1u38

— J.D. Scholten (@Scholten4Iowa) March 26, 2018

Scholten has been actively tweeting his support for the Parkland students backing gun control.

On the same day that millions protested and demanded sensible gun laws—I came home to an NRA endorsement application in the mail. Sorry NRA, I’m aligned with the kids who demand change. pic.twitter.com/XXuM2qVM5a

— J.D. Scholten (@Scholten4Iowa) March 25, 2018

King on Sunday criticized Parkland student Emma González for wearing a Cuban flag patch on her jacket. González gave one of the weekend’s most memorable speeches. 

“This is how you look when you claim Cuban heritage yet don’t speak Spanish and ignore the fact that your ancestors fled the island when the dictatorship turned Cuba into a prison camp, after removing all weapons from its citizens; hence their right to self defense,” King’s Facebook post said.

Hogg called on Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) to respond to King’s remark.

Hey @marcorubio @Emma4Change s family fled Cuba to escape totalitarianism and live in freedom just like your family could you please respond to @SteveKingIA

— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) March 26, 2018