CNN National Security Analyst Dismisses Discussion of Shooter’s Transgender Identity as “Distraction” from Gun Control Issue

During CNN’s coverage of the Nashville school shooting, CNN National Security Analyst Juliette Kayyem argued that the discussion over the shooter’s transgender identity is a “distraction” from the real issue of gun control laws. CNN anchor Don Lemon had previously brought up the topic of the shooter’s trans identity, claiming that “as a member of the LGBTQ community,” it was important to bring up. While Kayyem acknowledged that the shooter’s identity made this a “unique case,” she argued that every mass shooting has unique elements that separate them from one another.

She went on to emphasize that guns were the root cause of these shootings, saying that “pronouns do not kill children, people with guns kill children.” Kayyem concluded by stating that the discussion over the shooter’s transgender identity would serve as a distraction and keep us from focusing on the common issue of gun violence in America.

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