Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student David Hogg won't back down in his crusade for sensible gun laws and safe schools so that what happened to him in Parkland, Florida, never happens to anyone else.
While Hogg has explained that the vast majority of members of the National Rifle Association agree there should be better safety training, background checks and other regulations, McCain claimed his rhetoric was too divisive.
"I was just hearing some coverage of the marches and people said this is so far in advance of elections that this volume will die down," Sara Haines said, citing those who oppose the students. "But the change part here, I think, is the voter registration. If they can turn all of these voices into votes, people will be forced to -- politicians will be forced to listen."
"I was curious all weekend if anyone who didn't already support the cause had their minds changed. Were there any NRA members watching," McCain said, neglecting the majority of NRA members who want gun regulations.
"I actually -- there are a lot of comments coming out, specifically from David Hogg," McCain continued. "One thing I will say is you don't move the narrative when you use language like this, 'It makes me think what sick ****ers there want to sell more guns, murder more children and honestly just get reelected. What type of f***ing person does that? They can have blood splattered all over their faces and they don't take action because all they see are dollar signs.'"
McCain brought up Kyle Kashuv, a Parkland student who has been embraced by the NRA and the far-right because he opposes gun control measures in wake of the shooting.
"I wish we could have it where the rhetoric isn't that any of us could have blood splattered on our faces and your life perspective wouldn't be changed," McCain said, challenging the youth who faced the gunman. "I don't think it's productive."
Co-host Sunny Hostin countered that she was surprised when she heard the language from the NRA, politicians and, specifically, former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) this weekend. During a CNN panel discussion Sunday, Santorum attacked the teens and encouraged them to take CPR classes and first aid instead of fighting for gun control.
"Actually, the NRA spokeswoman said, 'If you're too immature to carry a firearm, you're too immature to make policy on firearms,'" Hostin quoted. "I thought, well, who's she listening to?"
That's when co-host Whoopi Goldberg cut in.
"Here's the thing: these kids are not going to take it," she said. "They're sick of waiting for the adults to do it. They're letting you know. Whether they're cussing you out -- whether they're cussing you out or speaking beautifully, it doesn't matter. They're not willing to take this anymore, and the same way that you want us to understand, you want them to understand why you have the right to have your guns, you want them to understand why you feel the way you feel, you can't denigrate the way they feel, because they feel like you've not been responsible out there for them because they keep getting shot up in school. So, there's something there that we all to sort of take a beat on and hear what they're saying because they're not kidding. This is not going anywhere."
Watch the full discussion below:
