Senator: 'Thoughts and prayers' will stop massacres

Moments before she and 19 of her fellow Republicans successfully voted down an assault weapons ban, a Florida legislator came to the aid not so much of the victims of gun violence who have said "thoughts and prayers" aren't enough, but rather the very notion of "thoughts and prayers" itself.

"When we say 'thoughts and prayers,' it's frowned upon," said state Sen. Kelli Stargel. "And I take real offense at that because thoughts and prayers are really the only thing that's gonna stop the evil from within the individual who is taking up their arms to do this kind of a massacre."

Just days after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre, senior Delaney Tarr said at a news conference, "We've had enough of thoughts and prayers. ... We are coming after every single one of you and demanding that you take action, demanding that you make a change."

Stargel was taking part in a debate Saturday in the Florida legislature about gun reform and specifically a measure that would've stopped the sale of assault weapons in the Sunshine State, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The restriction on the sort of weapon that was used to take 17 lives in less than 10 minutes at Marjory Stoneman Douglas would have been attached to the bill that passed yesterday in the Florida Senate, which includes raising the minimum age to buy a rifle to 21 from 18, while also allowing teachers to carry guns into schools.

In her remarks Saturday, Stargel said she was in favor of such reforms but added that she still feels that the most important thing is "thoughts and prayers."

"In my opinion, the one thing that will actually change this the most, is the one thing that has become fighting words, which is to say 'thoughts and prayers,'" said the A-plus-rated NRA politician. "So that's something I'm gonna continue to add to my comprehensive plan, that we can hopefully stop the evil that is happening from within our world."

Stargel failed to respond to a Daily News request for comment as to whether she believes the Parkland attack occurred as a result of not enough thoughts and prayers.

She previously sponsored legislation that would've allowed people to bring weapons into religious institutions, including private schools and daycare facilities.