NH Honors Nashville Shooting Victims With Half-Staff Flags

🔴 Gov. Chris Sununu ordered flags at half-staff through Friday in honor of the Nashville shooting victims

🔴 Sens. Shaheen and Hassan backed President Biden's call for an assault weapon ban

🔴 Speaking in Dover, Nikki Haley called for metal detectors at schools to prevent shootings

New Hampshire honored the victims of Monday's shooting in Nashville by flying flags at half-staff at all flags on public buildings and grounds, as two Republicans with an eye on the White House comment on the shooting during Granite State campaign stops.

Armed with two "assault style" weapons, former student Audrey Elizabeth Hale opened fire at The Covenant School, a Christian school, Monday morning, killing three children and three adults.

Nashville Police have not said why Hale opened fire at the school but did find a detailed map she drew, including possible entry point. Police said Hale conducted surveillance on the school before the shooting, and had written a manifesto.

Gov. Chris Sununu issued the order Tuesday morning to remain in effect until Friday at sundown, in accordance with a proclamation by President Joe Biden. He did not offer additional comment.

Backing Biden's Call for an Assault Weapon Ban

Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan used the occasion of the shooting to support Biden's call for an a national ban on assault-style weapons.

"This is the worst day of their families’ lives. I can’t begin to imagine their pain. My thoughts are with all those reeling from this tragedy. Outrage over the epidemic of gun violence is lost without action," Shaheen wrote on her social media. The gun lobby’s hold on lawmakers is preventing meaningful action to stop mass shootings & shackles Congress from acting. Our kids, their families & our country deserve better. This has to stop."

"Devastated that we are once again grieving the loss of innocent children. No parent should be afraid to send their child to school," Sen. Maggie Hassan wrote on her social media. "We must step up and protect our kids – we cannot allow gun violence to continue to tear apart our communities. My prayers are with Nashville."

Presidential Hopefuls Weigh in

Speaking in Dover Monday night, Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley said she favors metal detectors to be used at schools, and for schools to have just one way in and out, according to USA Today coverage of her speech.

"Everybody wants to talk about gun control. My thing is, I don't want to take away your ability to protect yourself until they do those things that protect those kids." Haley said.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who has not announced a 2024 presidential run, was critical of Biden's response to shooting. Before delivering his comments, Biden introduced himself as Jill Biden's husband, and talked about his favorite ice cream.

"There's no room for joking in the midst of a tragedy like the one that killed three children and three staff members – certainly not from the president of the United States," Christie told Fox News.

Christie held a town hall meeting at St. Anselm's Institute of New Hampshire Politics Monday night.

Dems: Sununu Should Cancel NRA Speech

State Democrats said Sununu should cancel his appearance at the NRA Leadership Forum in Indiana on April 14.

"Chris Sununu has shown time and time again that he values his NRA rating more than the safety of Granite Staters. In light of yet another devastating and preventable tragedy where innocent lives were stolen by senseless gun violence, it is incomprehensible that Sununu would even consider speaking at this NRA event," party Chair Ray Buckley said in a statement. "Instead of using this forum as an opportunity to build his national profile and brag about how he gutted gun safety in New Hampshire, I am calling on the governor to cancel his appearance at this event immediately.”

Former President Donald Trump is also scheduled to speak at the forum.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH