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Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) on Thursday invoked the 2011 shooting of former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.) at a constituent event as a reason not to hold a public town hall.
"At this time there are groups from the more violent strains of the leftist ideology, some even being paid, who are preying on public town halls to wreak havoc and threaten public safety," Gohmert said in a statement.
"Threats are nothing new to me and I have gotten my share as a felony judge. However, the House Sergeant at Arms advised us after former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords was shot at a public appearance, that civilian attendees at Congressional public events stand the most chance of being harmed or killed—just as happened there."
Gohmert said he could communicate with thousands of constituents through tele-town hall meetings, arguing even more people will be able to participating in town hall meetings held this way.
"This technology allows the inclusion of our disabled and more elderly seniors who have opinions but who could not otherwise come to an actual town hall meeting and ask questions," he said.
"Then, when the threat of violence at town hall meetings recedes, we can go back to having the civil town hall meetings I’ve had in the past to supplement the masses reached in our telephone town halls. "
Giffords survived being shot in the head at a constituent meeting in 2011. The shooting in Tucson left six people dead and several more wounded.
Republican lawmakers have been faced recently with hoards of protesters when holding town halls.
President Trump earlier this week referred to the protesters as "so-called angry crowds."
"The so-called angry crowds in home districts of some Republicans are actually, in numerous cases, planned out by liberal activists. Sad!" Trump tweeted Tuesday.
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