Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D., N.Y.) joined MSNBC Wednesday to discuss the nude photograph scandal involving the Marine Corps. During her interview with Andrea Mitchell, Gillibrand said that military commanders don't take conduct problems seriously.
"What we've seen, I think, is a wink and a nod. Commanders do not take this seriously," Gillibrand said. "They've allowed this type of conduct to fester year after year. It's corrosive and it undermines the good work our military does."
Gillibrand's remarks came during a call for an impartial judicial system to be implemented in the armed services.
Commandant of the Marine Corps General Robert Neller told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Marine Corps would not hesitate to court-martial the members involved in the dissemination of the photos.
On Tuesday, Gillibrand came under scrutiny for a tweet which appears to erroneously describe what a silencer does.
When someone gets shot by a gun with a silencer, it's quiet. Witnesses might not hear. Police will be less likely to track down the shooter.
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) March 14, 2017
GOP Senator Jeff Duncan responded soon after with a tweet of his own.
.@SenGillibrand this is my bill. You seem misinformed. I'd love to invite you to a firing range to demonstrate them first hand. Interested? https://t.co/Uk0Ky4pZhy
— Rep. Jeff Duncan (@RepJeffDuncan) March 14, 2017
The Federalist's Sean Davis contextualizes why it might be inaccurate to describe someone being shot by a suppressed firearm as "quiet."
A decent suppressor for an AR-15 (.223/5.56mm) can reduce the sound of that rifle being fired by 30-35 dB. Thus, a quality suppressor can turn what would’ve been a 165 dB, eardrum-bursting gunshot into a mere 135 dB gunshot — roughly the same volume as a jackhammer you might see a construction worker using. Remember that pain and permanent hearing damage begins at 140 dB.