Fred Guttenberg, Father Of Parkland Shooting Victim, Escorted Out Of State Of Union Address For Yelling At Trump

The father of a 14-year-old freshman killed during the Parkland shooting was escorted out of President Donald Trump‘s State of the Union address Tuesday after he shouted at Trump.

Fred Guttenberg was invited to the event by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California). He became a prominent gun control advocate after the death of his daughter, Jaime, during the tragic shooting on Feb. 14, 2018.

Towards the end of his address, Trump promised to protect Americans’ right to bear arms.

“So long as I am president, I will always protect your Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms,” he said, prompting Guttenberg to yell.

.@fred_guttenberg is a National hero tonight for standing up in the House chamber to confront Trump’s lies, and to the @GOP that bows down to the gun lobby & @NRA. #GunControlNow #SOTU pic.twitter.com/iJqo3n6szp

— ??????? (@joshiku) February 5, 2020

Guttenberg apologized for his behavior on Twitter Wednesday morning.

“Tonight was a rough night. I disrupted the State Of The Union and was detained because I let my emotions get the best of me,” he wrote. “I simply want to be able to deal with the reality of gun violence and not have to listen to the lies about the 2A as happened tonight.”

He continued: “That said, I should not have yelled out. I am thankful for the overwhelming support that I am receiving. However, I do owe my family and friends an apology. I have tried to conduct myself with dignity throughout this process and I will do better as I pursue gun safety.”

(1,2) Tonight was a rough night. I disrupted the State Of The Union and was detained because I let my emotions get the best of me. I simply want to be able to deal with the reality of gun violence and not have to listen to the lies about the 2A as happened tonight.

— Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) February 5, 2020

(2,2) That said, I should not have yelled out. I am thankful for the overwhelming support that I am receiving. However, I do owe my family and friends an apology. I have tried to conduct myself with dignity throughout this process and I will do better as I pursue gun safety.

— Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) February 5, 2020

Guttenberg is pushing a proposal called “Jaime’s Law,” which would require background checks on the purchase of bullets. He has supported Democratic candidates, and filmed a testimonial video for former Vice President Joe Biden.