search
Sections List
American Journal News

Senator who took over $852,000 from NRA: People in mass shootings should just "get small"

South Dakota Sen. John Thune, like so many of his fellow Republicans, is not interested in talking about real solutions to gun violence, even after the latest horrific mass shooting in Las Vegas. Instead of being willing to talk about gun safety, his advice to future victims is to “take steps in their own lives […]

By Oliver Willis - October 03, 2017
Share
Republican Sen. John Thune, a great friend to the NRA
Republican Sen. John Thune, a great friend to the NRA

Instead of being willing to talk about gun safety, his advice to future victims is to “take steps in their own lives to take precautions” and “get small.”

Thune also happens to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of National Rifle Association (NRA) donations, hauling in at least $852,00 to finance his political campaigns over the years.

Before his re-election in 2016, Thune pulled in $5,000 from the NRA.

Thune told MSNBC’s Hallie Jackson that “all of us want to do everything we can” to prevent mass shootings like the one in Las Vegas, but because America is an open society, “it’s going to be hard to prevent anything.”

“I think people are going to have to take steps in their own lives to take precautions,” he continued, “to protect themselves. And in situations like that, you know, try to stay safe. As somebody said — get small.”

In exchange for those donations, Thune has received a rating of “A” from the NRA, voting on its behalf multiple times in Congress.

Thune opposed the background check bill that came up for a vote in the Senate after the Sandy Hook School massacre, joining a group of 41 Republicans who voted against the legislation. Only four Republicans supported it — despite more than 90 percent of American voters supporting it.

Thune voted against background checks again in legislation that came up last year, while also voting against a bill that would have allowed the Department of Justice to ban gun sales to suspected terrorists.

Now, when one of those terrorists decided to attack innocent Americans, Thune’s callous remedy is just an insult to the 59 lives lost in the latest burst of gunfire.


AJ News
Subscribe to our newsletter.
Read More
AJ News
Latest
Rep. Bresnahan sold shares in PA companies ahead of market drop

Rep. Bresnahan sold shares in PA companies ahead of market drop

By Jesse Valentine - May 21, 2025
Senate Republicans confirm convicted felon as U.S. ambassador

Senate Republicans confirm convicted felon as U.S. ambassador

By Jesse Valentine - May 20, 2025
Texas women face prosecution for abortions if new bill becomes law

Texas women face prosecution for abortions if new bill becomes law

By Bonnie Fuller - May 16, 2025
It’s not just Medicaid—House Republicans want to cut food stamps too

It’s not just Medicaid—House Republicans want to cut food stamps too

By Jesse Valentine - May 15, 2025
Disability advocates arrested protesting GOP Medicaid cuts

Disability advocates arrested protesting GOP Medicaid cuts

By Jesse Valentine - May 14, 2025
Republican Bill Huizenga cheers power plant funds he tried to block

Republican Bill Huizenga cheers power plant funds he tried to block

By Jesse Valentine - May 12, 2025
Jack Ciattarelli called harmful tariffs a “grand experiment”

Jack Ciattarelli called harmful tariffs a “grand experiment”

By Jesse Valentine - May 09, 2025
Paul LePage, a Medicaid critic, launches congressional bid in Maine

Paul LePage, a Medicaid critic, launches congressional bid in Maine

By Jesse Valentine - May 06, 2025
Earle-Sears ignored trans issues in office—now she uses them as a wedge

Earle-Sears ignored trans issues in office—now she uses them as a wedge

By Jesse Valentine - May 05, 2025
Trump effectively shuts down campaign finance watchdog

Trump effectively shuts down campaign finance watchdog

By Jesse Valentine - April 30, 2025
Ciattarelli wants a DOGE-style commission to crack down on New Jersey Medicaid recipients

Ciattarelli wants a DOGE-style commission to crack down on New Jersey Medicaid recipients

By Jesse Valentine - April 30, 2025
House Republicans roll out new plan to decimate Medicaid

House Republicans roll out new plan to decimate Medicaid

By Jesse Valentine - April 24, 2025
Trump White House plans to garnish wages of student loan borrowers

Trump White House plans to garnish wages of student loan borrowers

By Jesse Valentine - April 22, 2025
Megadonor embroiled in ethics scandal gave thousands to Winsome Earle-Sears

Megadonor embroiled in ethics scandal gave thousands to Winsome Earle-Sears

By Jesse Valentine - April 21, 2025
“I Was Terrified To Get Pregnant Again After Having to Flee Tennessee for a Life-Saving Abortion”

“I Was Terrified To Get Pregnant Again After Having to Flee Tennessee for a Life-Saving Abortion”

By Bonnie Fuller - April 21, 2025
Goldman Sachs: Trump’s tariffs will lead to job losses

Goldman Sachs: Trump’s tariffs will lead to job losses

By Jesse Valentine - April 17, 2025
Democrats take stand for wrongly deported Maryland man

Democrats take stand for wrongly deported Maryland man

By Jesse Valentine - April 16, 2025
North Carolina law would make it illegal for Democratic AG to sue Trump

North Carolina law would make it illegal for Democratic AG to sue Trump

By Jesse Valentine - April 11, 2025
Older Americans suffer under Republican slash and burn policies

Older Americans suffer under Republican slash and burn policies

By Jesse Valentine - April 09, 2025
Scott Brown got Trump’s tariff plans for New Zealand very wrong

Scott Brown got Trump’s tariff plans for New Zealand very wrong

By Jesse Valentine - April 08, 2025
Trump admin canceled Social Security contracts to punish Maine governor

Trump admin canceled Social Security contracts to punish Maine governor

By Jesse Valentine - April 03, 2025
Senate Republicans vote to eliminate cap on overdraft fees

Senate Republicans vote to eliminate cap on overdraft fees

By Jesse Valentine - April 03, 2025
Forced to carry a dying baby, this Texas mother of four says she didn’t think it could happen to her

Forced to carry a dying baby, this Texas mother of four says she didn’t think it could happen to her

By Bonnie Fuller - March 28, 2025
Despite pleas from women and doctors, Texas may implement even more abortion restrictions

Despite pleas from women and doctors, Texas may implement even more abortion restrictions

By Bonnie Fuller - March 28, 2025