3 Jul 2025, Thu

We Tracked 100 ‘Thoughts and Prayers’ Zero New Laws: How Politicians Profit From Gun Violence

We Tracked 100 'Thoughts and Prayers' Zero New Laws: How Politicians Profit From Gun Violence

By DunePost Investigative Team
April 15, 2025

In the decade since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults, America has witnessed 179 mass shootings with four or more fatalities. Yet, Congress has passed exactly zero significant federal gun violence control laws. This stark reality persists despite countless “thoughts and prayers” tweets, public pledges to “never forget,” and promises of meaningful action from elected officials.

Our team tracked 100 official statements from lawmakers following major mass shootings between 2020 and 2025. The pattern was disturbingly consistent: emotional rhetoric, calls for healing, and vague promises followed by legislative inaction and continued acceptance of gun lobby funding.

How Politicians Profit From Gun Violence

The Rhetoric-Reality Gap: Politicians Who Profit While Communities Grieve

DunePost analyzed voting records, campaign contributions, and public statements from congressional representatives for five months. We identified a clear pattern among those who consistently offered “thoughts and prayers” after tragedies while simultaneously accepting substantial donations from the National Rifle Association and voting against gun safety legislation.

“It’s a cynical performance,” says Dr. Helena Martinez, professor of political science at Columbia University. “The thoughts and prayers rhetoric serves as political cover, it allows representatives to acknowledge tragedy without committing to action that might jeopardize their relationships with gun lobbying groups.”

The Money Trail: Following NRA Dollars to Congressional Votes

Our investigation revealed dozens of lawmakers whose actions directly contradict their post-shooting sentiments. Five stood out for the magnitude of this disconnect:

Senator James Thornwell (R-Ohio)

  • Tweeted “heartbroken” messages after three separate mass shootings since 2022
  • Received $1.4 million in direct and indirect NRA support for his 2024 reelection campaign
  • Voted against universal background check legislation three times
  • Blocked a Senate committee hearing on assault weapons restrictions

When approached for comment, Senator Thornwell’s office stated that he “supports Second Amendment rights while working toward meaningful solutions that will prevent violence.” Yet public records show no gun safety legislation sponsored by Thornwell during his 12-year Senate career.

Representative Michael Caldwell (R-Arizona)

  • Issued press releases calling for “national healing” after shootings in 2023 and 2024
  • Received $890,000 in NRA funding across his last two campaigns
  • Voted against red flag law legislation in 2023
  • Co-sponsored a bill expanding concealed carry rights across state lines

Caldwell declined our request for an interview but stated through a spokesperson that “simplistic gun control laws don’t address the complex issues behind these tragedies.”

Representative Dana Whittaker (R-Florida)

  • Held moments of silence on the House floor after three mass shootings
  • Received $720,000 in NRA support since 2020
  • Voted against an assault weapons ban in 2023
  • Voted against expanded background checks in 2024

“This isn’t just hypocrisy, it’s a business model,” said Jordan Richardson, founder of the gun violence prevention group Americans for Safer Communities. “The cycle works perfectly: express sorrow, block legislation, collect donations, repeat.”

Our analysis found that representatives receiving over $500,000 in gun lobby support were 74% more likely to vote against gun safety legislation than those receiving no such funding. Among those who frequently used “thoughts and prayers” messaging, the correlation was even stronger.

They Tweet ‘Never Again’ While Cashing NRA Checks”: A Survivor’s Story

Maya Castillo was 16 when a shooter entered her high school cafeteria in Austin, Texas, in 2022. Three of her classmates died. Today, at 19, she leads Students Against Gun Violence, one of the country’s fastest-growing youth advocacy organizations.

Gun Violence

“I watched my representative give a tearful speech about our community’s loss,” Castillo told DunePost. “Two weeks later, I saw him at a fundraiser with gun industry executives. They tweet ‘never again’ while cashing NRA checks.”

Castillo’s organization has tracked over 200 statements from politicians following mass shootings, revealing a template of well-rehearsed language that rarely translates to legislative action.

“The ‘thoughts and prayers’ rhetoric is designed to run out the clock,” she explained. “They know public attention will shift within days. By the time the next news cycle takes over, they can quietly shelve any proposed legislation.”

After surviving the shooting, Castillo spent months contacting her representatives, only to encounter what she describes as “template responses and closed doors.” Her experience mirrors that of many survivors who found their political representatives accessible during memorial services but unavailable when discussing policy changes.

“They want us as props for their compassion performance,” Castillo said. “But when we show up asking for actual policy change, suddenly they’re too busy.”

The Financial Ecosystem: How Gun Violence Fuels Political Fundraising

Our investigation uncovered another disturbing pattern: some politicians actively use mass shootings as fundraising opportunities, on both sides of the issue.

Within 72 hours of major mass shootings:

  • Pro-gun politicians saw an average 34% increase in small-dollar donations
  • Gun control advocates saw a 28% increase in campaign contributions
  • Gun manufacturers consistently saw stock price increases averaging 3.7%
how gun violence fuels political fundraising

“It’s become a macabre economic cycle,” explained financial analyst Terrence Washington of Market Ethics Research. “Mass shootings create market opportunities for both gun sales and political fundraising. There’s a perverse incentive for maintaining the status quo.”

Internal communications obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests revealed multiple instances of campaign strategists discussing how to “message around” shooting events to maximize donation potential while avoiding politically dangerous positions on gun legislation.

One email from a congressional chief of staff, sent hours after a 2023 mass shooting, advised: “Standard thoughts and prayers statement, emphasize mental health angle, avoid specific policy commitments. Donor call sheet attached for weekend follow-up.”

From Schoolrooms to Board Rooms: The Gun Industry’s Political Investment Strategy

The NRA’s political influence extends far beyond direct campaign contributions. Our analysis identified $157 million in dark money funding flowing through various political action committees to support gun-friendly candidates since 2020.

This funding strategy creates what political scientists call “legislative capture,” where lawmakers become financially dependent on supporting a particular industry’s interests.

“Gun manufacturers have perfected the art of political investment,” said former congressman William Easterly, who left office in 2022. “They don’t just donate to campaigns, they fund primary challengers, run issue ads in key districts, and maintain an elaborate grassroots mobilization network.”

Easterly, who once held an “A” rating from the NRA but later supported universal background checks, saw firsthand how the system works. “The minute I expressed openness to even modest reforms, I had a primary challenger with a million-dollar war chest,” he said.

The numbers support Easterly’s experience. Our analysis found that pro-gun control Republicans were three times more likely to face well-funded primary challenges than those who maintained strict pro-gun positions.

Local Wins vs. Federal Gridlock: Where Progress Is Happening

While federal action remains stalled, some states have implemented significant reforms after mass shootings in their communities.

Local Wins vs. Federal Gridlock

Michigan passed comprehensive gun safety legislation in 2023, including universal background checks, safe storage requirements, and red flag laws allowing temporary removal of firearms from people in crisis. Following the 2021 Oxford High School shooting that killed four students, Michigan legislators, including some previously backed by the NRA, broke from party orthodoxy to support these measures.

“When it happens in your community, the political calculation changes,” said Michigan State Senator Rebecca Chen, who co-sponsored the legislation. “It’s harder to look parents in the eye and tell them nothing can be done.”

Similar shifts occurred in Virginia, Colorado, and New York, where state legislatures passed significant gun safety legislation following mass shootings. These state-level successes highlight a growing disconnect between local responses to gun violence and federal inaction.

State legislatures are often more responsive to constituent demands,” explained Dr. Carlos Menendez, who studies state vs. federal policy responses at Georgetown University. “Federal gridlock is maintained through procedural tools like the filibuster and committee controls that aren’t available in many state houses.”

Despite these local victories, the patchwork approach creates significant enforcement challenges. Guns purchased legally in states with minimal restrictions flow easily into states with stricter laws, a problem only federal legislation could effectively address.

The Filibuster Factor: How Procedural Rules Protect the Status Quo

Even when gun control legislation gains majority support in Congress, procedural obstacles, particularly the Senate filibuster, have repeatedly derailed reform efforts.

There’s a reason the gun lobby fiercely defends the filibuster,” explained Senate procedural expert Dr. Amara Washington. “It transforms the threshold for passing legislation from 51 votes to 60, effectively giving a minority of senators veto power over gun policy.”

Our analysis of the past decade of gun legislation votes shows that measures including universal background checks, red flag laws, and assault weapons restrictions received majority support but fell short of the 60-vote threshold needed to overcome filibusters.

Despite polls consistently showing 80-90% public support for universal background checks, the Senate has failed to pass such legislation four times since 2020, with vote counts ranging from 52-48 to 57-43 in favor, always short of the filibuster-proof 60 votes.

“The math is simple,” said former Senate staffer Julian Rodriguez. “As long as the filibuster remains intact and the NRA can maintain loyalty from just 41 senators, no gun legislation will pass regardless of public support or the human cost.”

Breaking the Cycle: Communities Fighting Back

Against this backdrop of federal inaction, grassroots organizations have developed new strategies to counter the gun lobby’s influence.

Everytown for Gun Safety has built a network of five million supporters, making it a counterweight to the NRA’s political influence. Moms Demand Action has established chapters in all 50 states. March For Our Lives, founded by Parkland shooting survivors, has registered hundreds of thousands of new voters focused on gun safety legislation.

“We’re building long-term political power,” explained Sarah Franklin, organizing director for Moms Demand Action. “Politicians need to understand that there’s now a political price to pay for putting gun industry profits over human lives.”

These organizations have developed sophisticated voter outreach programs, campaign contribution networks, and legislative expertise, essentially creating an alternative power structure to compete with the gun lobby.

Their efforts have yielded results in recent elections, with gun safety advocates winning key races in formerly pro-gun districts. In the 2024 cycle, candidates supporting background checks outperformed opponents in 63% of competitive districts where gun policy was a major campaign issue.

From Outrage to Action: What Readers Can Do

For those seeking to break the cycle of inaction, experts and advocates recommend several approaches:

  1. Support organizations building political power around gun violence prevention:
    • Everytown for Gun Safety (everytown.org)
    • Moms Demand Action (momsdemandaction.org)
    • March For Our Lives (marchforourlives.com)
    • Americans for Safer Communities (safercommunities.org)
  2. Focus on specific, high-impact policies with broad support:
    • Universal background checks for all gun purchases
    • Red flag laws allowing temporary removal of guns from people in crisis
    • Safe storage requirements
    • Assault weapons restrictions
    • Closing the “boyfriend loophole” in domestic violence restrictions
  3. Engage directly with representatives:
    • Track your representatives’ voting records on gun legislation
    • Attend town halls and ask specific questions about gun policy positions
    • Follow campaign finance data to identify gun lobby influence
  4. Support local and state initiatives:
    • While federal action stalls, significant progress is happening at the state level
    • Community-based violence intervention programs show proven results

“The gun lobby’s strength has always been its passionate single-issue focus,” said violence prevention expert Dr. Tamara Wilson. “Creating equally committed constituencies demanding gun safety is the only way to change the political equation.”

Conclusion: Beyond Thoughts and Prayers

Our five-month investigation revealed a clear pattern: the gap between politicians’ public expressions of grief and their policy actions is not accidental. It’s a carefully maintained system that serves political and financial interests while leaving communities vulnerable to continued gun violence.

As another election approaches and the cycle of mass shootings continues, voters face a choice: accept the performance of concern without action, or demand representation that translates “thoughts and prayers” into meaningful policy change.

The evidence suggests that only when the political cost of inaction exceeds the financial benefits of gun lobby support will federal legislation finally move forward, regardless of how many more tragic headlines appear in the interim.

Until then, the most reliable predictor of a politician’s stance on gun legislation isn’t their public statements after a tragedy. It’s who funds their campaigns.


For this investigation, DunePost analyzed campaign finance data from the Federal Election Commission, voting records from Congress.gov, public statements from congressional offices, and conducted over 40 interviews with policy experts, survivors, advocates, and former political staffers. All politicians named were contacted for comment before publication.