KU journalism professor David Guth.

Topeka ? A politically powerful legislator has called on Kansas University to fire journalism professor David Guth over comments he tweeted regarding the shooting this week at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C.

“I feel I have no choice but to call upon the University of Kansas and Chancellor (Bernadette) Grey-Little to remove Professor Guth from the University’s faculty immediately,” said Senate Majority Leader Terry Bruce, R-Hutchinson.

In the aftermath of the shootings in Washington on Monday, in which 13 people were killed, Guth, an associate professor at the School of Journalism, tweeted: “The blood is on the hands of the #NRA. Next time, let it be YOUR sons and daughters. Shame on you. May God damn you.”

Bruce said he was appalled by the comment.

“Wishing death and damnation upon parents and their children is reprehensible and is not befitting of an employee of such a distinguished university,” he said.

KU officials have also strongly criticized Guth and said his opinions don’t reflect the university’s views.

Guth has defended his comments.

Guth, in an interview Thursday, said, “I did not advocate violence against anybody.” He said he was, instead, trying to make gun advocates see shootings like the one at Navy Yard from the point of view of the victims and their families. “I was getting tired of hearing comments in the media and Twitter that, ‘Gee, this wouldn’t have happened if the office staff at the Navy Yard had been armed,” he said.

As for the “May God damn you” comment, Guth said: “I think they are on the wrong side of the angels on this issue. I wasn’t cursing them. I was stating that I would like to see God put judgment on them.”