Chris Matthews says public ‘thoughts and prayers’ offerings after shootings should be ‘outlawed’

Mournful offerings of “thoughts and prayers” would be “outlawed” if MSNBC’s Chris Matthews had his way.

The “Hardball” host was so disgusted by the idea of reverential prayer after this week’s mass shooting in Thousand Oaks, California, that he suggested a law against referencing them. His guest, Democratic Rep. Jackie Speier, concurred while adding that 12 families directly affected by the shooting “don’t give a bloody you-know-what” about thoughts and prayers.

“I’m sorry, I mean, that should be outlawed,” Mr. Matthews said Thursday, the Daily Caller reported. “I know it’s well intended in some cases, but usually it’s a throwaway line by a staffer who knocks off some scripts, some product, some wordage for somebody political to make it sound like they give a damn.”

The two then lamented the power of the National Rifle Association in the U.S. and its ability to convince millions of Americans of the importance of the Second Amendment.

“They don’t even spend a lot of money anymore fighting the gun-safety people,” Mr. Matthews said.

“No, they don’t,” Ms. Speier replied. “They whisper into the president’s ears.”

Police are investigating the motives of 28-year-old gunman Ian David Long. Law enforcement found him dead of an apparent gunshot wound after the massacre at a Los Angeles area bar.