UPDATED | An 11-year-old Cub Scout in Colorado was kicked out of the group after asking a pro-gun state senator in the wake of last month's Las Vegas shooting why she hasn't supported "common sense" gun laws, his mother claims.
Little Ames Mayfield came loaded for bear when his den met with state Sen. Vicki Marble last week, asking a series of pointed questions for the lawmaker, who has supported many pro-gun bills and voted against a 2013 bill that would bar domestic abusers from owning guns.
"If we had common-sense gun control laws in place, the Las Vegas shooter would not have access to bump stocks and large capacity magazines," Ames said in a video his mother later posted to YouTube. "Because we don't have common-sense gun control laws he was able to kill 58 people. Why won't you support common-sense gun control laws?"
Marble fielded Ames's questions — reiterating her stance that the United States doesn't need gun control, but rather "crime control" — but the leaders of Ames's Cub Scout pack reportedly weren't too pleased with the plucky 11-year-old's interest in gun control. His mother, Lori Mayfield, told the Washington Post that after the Q&A with Marble, the leader of the pack informed her that her son had been kicked out of his Cub Scout den.
"I had to go home and tell my son he was kicked out," Mayfield said. "My son was heartbroken because he really liked this den leader and couldn't understand why his question was inappropriate."
The Boy Scouts of America did not confirm to the Newsweek whether Ames was indeed ousted, writing in a statement that the organization, along with the Denver Area Council was "pleased that the family will continue their participation in Scouting."
In a statement to the Denver Post, Marble said she didn't "blame" Ames for asking controverial questions, but suggested the boy was put up to it.
"I believe there was an element of manipulation involved, and it wasn't much different from the questions I normally field in other meetings," Marble said. "The invitation to meet with the Scouts was never intended to cause friction and controversy."
Newsweek has reached out to Marble for comment but has not heard back.
Ames's pressing questions are ones many Americans are concerned with in the aftermath of the Las Vegas shooting. A poll from earlier this month found support for gun control legislation is on the rise, with 64 percent of voters saying they'd like to see Congress pass stricter gun regulations. Many Americans, however, are skeptical Congress will ever succeed in doing so: Just 26 percent said they believe there's an "excellent or good chance" Congress will pass any gun control measures in the next year.
Other studies show interest in gun control fades with time following mass shootings. That especially happens when even an 11-year-old can't get a word in edgewise on the issue.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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Marie Solis is a politics writer at Newsweek focusing on women's issues. She's previously written for Mic, Teen Vogue, Bustle, ... Read more
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