Amid the renewed gun-control debate after the Newtown shootings, former "CSI" actress Marg Helgenberger responded to a tweet about NRA members being shot by writing, "one can only hope."
After the school shootings Friday, author Joyce Carol Oates tweeted sardonically, "If sizable numbers of NRA members become gun-victims themselves, maybe hope for legislation of firearms?"
Helgenberger responded to Oates, "One can only hope, but sadly I don't think anything would change."
The tweet began to draw attention after it was noted by The Drudge Report and other media outlets, days after Helgenberger posted it.
Helgenberger may have been trying to say that "one can only hope" for more gun control, but her tweet — which was deleted — was interpreted by many to mean she supported NRA members being shot.
"Are you encouraging violence against those who dare disagree with you?" one man tweeted to the actress.
Another added: "Awful hateful Marg. Killing to stop killing?"
Helgenberger's publicist did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The actress left "CSI" in January.
