Updated Feb 5, 2020 - Politics & Policy

State of the Union: Parkland shooting victim's father removed from gallery

Fred Guttenberg, father of Parkland school shooting victim Jaime Guttenberg, is removed during President Trump's State of the Union address at the Capitol. Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Fred Guttenberg, a gun control activist whose daughter died during the 2018 Parkland mass shooting, has spoken about being ejected from the gallery during President Trump's State of the Union address Tuesday.

The big picture: Guttenberg, who was a guest of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was removed by security after yelling "What about my daughter!" as Trump spoke about protecting the Second Amendment, per Newsweek. Guttenberg tweeted that it was a "rough night."

What he's saying: "I disrupted the State Of The Union and was detained because I let my emotions get the best of me," he said in his Twitter post. "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.

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."
— Guttenberg's tweet

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Editor's note: This article has been updated with Guttenberg's comments.

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