DENVER – Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords praised a Broomfield Cub Scout for asking tough questions to Republican state senator Vicki Marble during a Q&A discussion this month, resulting in him getting kicked out of his den this past week.
Ames Mayfield was just three months shy of becoming a Boy Scout when he faced removal from his den after the events of the Q&A with Sen. Marble.
Students asked about gun control, the proposed border wall and Marble's infamous and racially charged remarks from 2013 on foods of the south and disease in African Americans.
At one point, Ames asked Marble about controversial remarks she made in 2013 regarding blacks, fried chicken and poverty.
"Why do you (inaudible) black people for poor health and poverty because of all the chicken and barbecue they eat?" the scout asked.
"I didn't,” replied Marble. “That was made up by the media. So, you want to believe it? You believe it. But, that's not how it went down. I didn't do that. That was false. Get both sides of the story," she said.
But it was his question about gun control that reportedly got him booted from his pack, according to his mom.
The question went on for two minutes and 15 seconds. Here’s a portion:
"I was shocked that you co-sponsored a bill to allow domestic violence offenders to continue to own a gun,” Ames said. “Why on earth would you want someone who beats their wife to have access to a gun?"
The den leader then cut off Ames.
“Ok. Ames, that is a really thorough question," said the leader.
A few days later, he was kicked out. You watch videos of that Q&A below:
On Thursday, former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords praised Ames via Twitter for his courage.
“This is exactly the kind of courage we need in Congress,” she tweeted, adding, “Ames, call me in 14 years. I’ll campaign for you.”
This is exactly the kind of courage we need in Congress. Ames, call me in 14 years. I’ll campaign for you. https://t.co/fdE4DinnRk
— Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) October 19, 2017
Giffords, an outspoken supporter of gun control, co-founded Americans for Responsible Solutions after the events of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Giffords herself was the victim of gun violence when a gunman opened fire on 18 people during a meeting with her constituents in Tucson, Ariz., in 2011.
A spokesperson told Denver7 the council is helping to find Ames another den, "so that he may continue to participate in the scouting program.
