Boston manhunt used for point-scoring on immigration, gun control

As information continues to pour in, the politicizations begin

Published April 19, 2013 3:59PM (EDT)

As law enforcement officials work to capture the second bombing suspect in the Boston attacks, pundits are already using the unfolding events to score political points on immigration reform and gun control.

The first lawmaker to bring Boston into the immigration debate, which is currently going on in a Senate hearing, was Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa."We appreciate the ability to talk about immigration, particularly in light of the events in Boston," he said.

Sen. Marco Rubio's office put out a statement urging people to avoid politicizing Boston. "Boston is still developing and it's too soon to jump to conclusions, let alone use the tragedy to make political points."

But that didn't stop Twitter:

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Gun control opponents also used the ongoing lockdown in the city to argue that Boston residents would feel safer right now if they were armed:

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By Jillian Rayfield

Jillian Rayfield is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on politics. Follow her on Twitter at @jillrayfield or email her at jrayfield@salon.com.

MORE FROM Jillian Rayfield


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Ann Coulter Bryan Fischer Chuck Grassley Gun Control Marco Rubio