As the room broke for lunch on day one of Judge Brett Kavanuagh’s Senate confirmation hearing for U.S. Supreme Court, a man approached him and attempted to shake his hand, according to NBC News.
The exchange, captured by photographers was tense, but the man hoping to have a few words with the Supreme Court nominee was Fred Guttenberg, the father of a student killed in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.
“Just walked up to Judge Kavanaugh as morning session ended. Put out my hand to introduce myself as Jaime Guttenberg’s dad. He pulled his hand back, turned his back to me and walked away,” Guttenberg tweeted. “I guess he did not want to deal with the reality of gun violence.”
The tweet quickly gained traction and received a personal response from Raj Shah, White House Deputy Press Secretary. He tweeted, “As Judge Kavanaugh left for his lunch break, an unidentified individual approached him. Before the Judge was able to shake his hand, security had intervened.”
As Judge Kavanaugh left for his lunch break, an unidentified individual approached him. Before the Judge was able to shake his hand, security had intervened. https://t.co/ylOhtA1s6G
— Raj Shah (@RajShah45) September 4, 2018
Guttenberg immediately tweeted back, challenging that version of events: “Incorrect. I was here all day and introduced by Senator Feinstein. No security involved. He turned and walked away.”
Guttenberg has been outspoken since Kavanaugh’s nomination was announced because of the large support the nominee has received from the NRA. He tweeted in July of last year, “Kavanaugh must not become a Supreme Court Justice,” calling him a “risk to public safety.”
The Hill reports that Guttenberg also claims Kavanaugh directed security to kick him out of the hearing, identifying him by bracelets he wore in memory of his slain daughter.
Father of Slain Parkland Teen (Fred Guttenberg) Says Not Only Did Kavanaugh Turn Away As Soon As He Mentioned His Murdered Daughter. But Kavanaugh Himself Asked Security to Remove Guttenberg and ID’d Him to Security By the Bracelets He Wears for His Daughter. pic.twitter.com/7MD66IBLk3
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) September 5, 2018
Guttenberg, along with other family members of victims of the February 14 mass shooting in Parkland, Florida have begun campaigning to raise the legal age limit for buying fire arms, create a waiting period and ban bump stocks, according to The Guardian.