The View host Sara Haines is accused of ‘BULLYING’ Sunny Hostin during a heated gun control debate in the wake of Maine shooting horror – as Joy Behar hastily cuts to a commercial to end furious spat

The View’s Sara Haines has been accused of “bullying” her co-host Sunny Hostin after the two became embroiled in a heated debate over gun laws on Friday.

Referring to gunman Robert Card, who slaughtered 18 people with an AR-15-style rifle in Maine on Wednesday night, Sara, 46, said she would “like to see a ban on assault weapons” before stating that people with mental health issues would not must do. own weapons.

“There are no actionable steps to solve the mental health epidemic in this country, but we can keep guns out of their hands,” the mother of three argued, prompting Sunny, 55, to express her concerns about “ stigmatizing people with psychological problems’. health’.

Sara fumed: ‘This shooter was reported to law enforcement by his family, he was institutionalized because he told people he was going to shoot at a reserve base. When someone tells you what he is going to do, believe him!

Sunny, 55, clashes with Sara, 46, on Friday’s show as they discussed allowing people with mental health issues to buy and own guns

Ana Navarro (right) tried to share her thoughts, but Sara kept talking through her co-hosts

“Every mass shooter we’ve had has left steps along the way. I believe in red flag laws and most of the country does too. We believe in background checks. But it was designed by a pro-gun organization and the yellow flag law insists you see a doctor.

“That creates a greater barrier to actually having someone flagged, when 80 percent of voters approve of police temporarily taking control of that weapon.”

In a calm tone, Sunny responded, “To respond to you, Sara… I hear what you’re saying and there were signs that this man should not have had a gun, just like I don’t think people who commit domestic violence should to have. guns…

“But I’m a little concerned about stigmatizing people with mental health, because if you look at the statistics, people with mental health are much more likely to be victims of a violent crime, rather than the opposite. ..’

Unable to contain her frustrations, Sara interjected, “I’m not going to jump on you… I know this answer. I have mental health issues, I have anxiety issues, I have depression issues.

“I’m not saying that everyone who’s ever been to a therapist or taken medication… heard voices telling them what to do. I think everyone in this room can agree that this is a mental problem.

After Alyssa Farah Griffin stated that Card has schizophrenia, Sunny added, “But not every schizophrenic is violent.”

Sara interjected, “This schizophrenic told people he was going to shoot up a base, so he told us!”

Sara mentioned her own “mental health issues” and her “depression” as she argued her point

One person accused Sara of being ‘rude’ and claimed she was ‘bullying’ mum-of-two Sunny

Sunny argued that ‘not every schizophrenic is violent’

“That’s different,” Sunny replied as Sara clapped back, “And it’s important to note those details.”

Moderator Joy Behar, 81, wanting to calm the tension, shut things down and said, “We have to go, sorry.”

As the show transitioned into a commercial break, Sunny was heard saying, “I don’t always like mental health.”

Viewers tuning in at home were unimpressed with Sara and criticized her behavior.

One accused her of ‘bullying and being rude’, adding: ‘Mental illness should be dealt with in a more civil manner by the panel. Guns are the problem. Mental illness is just part of the problem.”

A second person posted: ‘MY GOD CAN SUNNY EVER FINISH HER POINT!!! This is beyond annoying.”

A third viewer commented: ‘Gosh Sarah stfu and let Sunny speak. My God.’

A fourth agreed, posting: ‘OMG! Sarah should just stop and let Sunny finish!!’

Someone else claimed: ‘Every time Sunny makes valid points they always interrupt her.’

Another viewer echoed this view, adding, “AGAIN they cut @sunny down when she stands up for the underrepresented and disenfranchised!!! Mental health is NOT the problem. There are guns!’

Police in Lewiston, Maine, are searching for gunman Robert Card who killed at least 18 people on October 25

The gunman opened fire with an AR-15-style rifle at a bowling alley and a local bar

Others jumped to defend the TV host, with one writing: “So Sunny could spread her ignorance about mental illness to refute Sara’s unrelated point? No thanks. Keep talking Sara. Don’t let ignorance thrive any longer.’

Another person wrote, “I like Sunny, but she constantly brings up not stigmatizing people with mental illness and that ends the conversation. Mental health care is comprehensive and it is not stigmatizing to recognize that some people with mental illness should NOT have access to guns.”

It emerged on Thursday that the gunman in the Maine massacre, Card – who has still not been found – had spent two weeks in a mental health facility last summer after “hearing voices”.

Card is from Bowdoin, Maine – a town of just over 3,000 residents – and is a “highly skilled” Army petroleum supply specialist who enlisted in December 2002. He had no combat missions.

The gunman, who police have warned is “armed and dangerous,” is a Sergeant First Class and has been awarded the Army Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and two Army Reserve Component Achievement Medals.

Card, who reportedly has ties to Massachusetts, has struggled with mental health issues, recently reported “hearing voices” and threatened to shoot up a military training base.