Republican members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives have sparked social media outrage after wearing pearls during a hearing on Extreme Risk Protection Orders, commonly referred to as "red flag laws." Many state legislatures are considering implementing these laws, which would make it easier for police to confiscate a person's guns if he or she is believed to be a threat to themselves or others.
According to the Washington Post, the legislators' motives were easy to see. "The implication was clear, they said: These politicians thought gun-control activists were “clutching their pearls” in overwrought and self-righteous outrage — and, specifically, female outrage."
“It really is shameful to behave that way when your constituents are being brave enough to share their stories,” Watts told WaPo. “They clearly did not come to this hearing with open minds or compassion for their constituents.”
Moms Demand Action Founder Shannon Watts took to Twitter to spark the mob outrage:
Male New Hampshire lawmakers on the hearing committee wearing pearls to mock @MomsDemand volunteers and gun safety advocates. #NHPolitics pic.twitter.com/rc1S3Bj9lG
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) March 5, 2019
New Hampshire lawmakers wear pearls to mock women testifying about the effects of gun violence on themselves and their families as during testimony before a committee of the NH legislature. https://t.co/w2UrztFO1A
— Jim Bourg (@jimbourg) March 6, 2019
She even wore pearls as a means of embracing the supposed mockery, which gained a bit of traction:
Wearing my pearls as I meet with Massachusetts lawmakers today... #MomsDemandPearls #FightLikeAMother #mapoli pic.twitter.com/99LhFQXvVP
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) March 6, 2019
Moms who want to keep their kids safe from gun violence don’t deserve this. https://t.co/oQnQatlx4x
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) March 5, 2019
Too many guns are falling into the hands of dangerous people, threatening kids' lives and making our communities less safe. These moms are fighting to confront gun violence and protect our children. They don't deserve to be mocked. We stand with you, @momsdemand. https://t.co/qizaz7a8vi
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) March 5, 2019
She even attempted to start a movement of gun control advocates doing the same:
I lent @shannonrwatts my pearls today. So proud that Boston & MA officials are meeting w/ Shannon & @MomsDemand volunteers like me today. It won't make up for the offensive behavior of NH lawmakers yesterday, but it shows that in MA, public safety is the priority. #endgunviolence https://t.co/BuwNb8WQFG
— Molly Lanza (@mollylanza) March 6, 2019
.?@MomsDemand? now THESE pearls mean business PAMoms stand with NHMoms #keepgoing #ERPOinPA #ERPOSaveslives #NHPolitics #PAPolitics ?@shannonrwatts? #EndGunViolence pic.twitter.com/6GreTEiFgX
— Melissa Carden (@melissacupcake) March 6, 2019
I just ordered my new pearls!#momsdemandaction @MomsDemand pic.twitter.com/PZ3iqLFKpq
— Merlin (@teachermerlin) March 6, 2019
I've never really considered myself a "wearing pearls" kind of lady, but I may need to reconsider. Let's hope that the MA lawmakers show more respect than their colleagues to the north in NH. #FightLikeAMother #MomsDemandPearls https://t.co/1bd2dECTDS
— Sharon_McGowan (@SharonMcGowanDC) March 6, 2019
Except there's just one problem with Watts' assumption: the pearls had nothing to do with legislators mocking Moms Demand Action volunteers. They were given to legislators by the Women's Defense League.
But of course Watts thinks everything is about her.
The PEARLS are in support of the Women's Defense League. Women who ACTUALLY PROMOTE GUN SAFETY and WOMEN'S RIGHTS #nhpolitics #HB687 pic.twitter.com/pd0Pjd8ZqT
— Kimberly Morin (@Conservativeind) March 5, 2019
In fact, these were past promotional images:
— NHGirl (@LiveFreeOrDie70) March 6, 2019
Last year's rally image .... complete with pink pearls ....#nhpolitics pic.twitter.com/p4o9Gz7DfZ
— NHGirl (@LiveFreeOrDie70) March 6, 2019
And to Watts, I say:
I stand with @WDLNH because gun rights are women's rights. This is an organization that TRULY teaches gun safety. #2A #guns #DefendTheSecond #gunsense #MomsDemandPearls pic.twitter.com/7tAav3xDU3
— Beth Baumann (@eb454) March 6, 2019
MOLON LABE.
