Vance’s answer to a reporter’s question — an answer that included the phrase ‘fact of life’ — became fodder for his critics

Vance argued that additional gun regulations won’t stop school shootings, since they occur in states with and without strict gun controls.

Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance says school shootings are a “fact of life" and the U.S. needs to harden security to prevent more carnage.

Vance decried the regularity of school shootings in the United States, and doubled down on the importance of increased security. "If these psychos are gonna go after our kids, we've got to be prepared for it. We don't have to like the reality that we live in, but it is the reality we live in, and we've got to deal with it," Vance said.

To hear JD Vance tell it, deadly school shootings, such as this week's tragedy in Georgia, are "a fact of life.” The comments generated swift pushback.