Congressman Jamaal Bowman and Thomas Massie engage in a heated argument over guns and gun violence outside the House of Representatives

WASHINGTON– A Democratic lawmaker who yelled right outside the House on Wednesday about Republicans’ approach to gun violence soon became involved in a tense altercation with one of his Conservative peers.

A feisty Rep. Jamaal Bowman, DN.Y., a former school principal, got off the floor and began telling reporters to keep pushing GOP members for their views on guns and shooting.

“Please ask her. Don’t let them off the hook,” Bowman said.

“Ask them about gun violence. What are they doing about it? Nothing!” He continued to shout as colleagues left the room.

“You don’t have the guts,” he insisted. “They are cowards.”

Republicans have avoided or dismissed questions about new restrictions on assault weapons like those used in this week’s school shooting in Nashville, Tenn.

They have instead campaigned to increase school security, and growing numbers have cited “mental health” treatment as the better solution, having long hesitated to restrict gun ownership, saying it is unconstitutional.

“The first thing to do with any kind of tragedy is I pray. I pray for the victims. I pray for the families. I get really angry when people try to politicize it for their own personal agenda, especially when we don’t even know the facts,” House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said Tuesday.

Bowman rebuked that vigorously on Wednesday.

“You are in control of the house! The American people need to know they don’t have the courage to do anything to save the lives of children,” he said.

Though most members just walked past Bowman as he screamed for about five minutes — barring the occasional applause from Democratic members — Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, decided to get involved.

“What are you talking about?” he asked.

“I’m talking gun violence,” Bowman replied.

“You know there’s never been a shooting in a school that allows teachers to wear,” Massie tried to argue.

“Carry guns! They think – More guns lead to more death!” replied Bowman.

Massie repeatedly urged Bowman to calm down, prompting Bowman to exclaim, “Calm down? children die! Nine year old kids!” and “I was screaming before you came and interrupted me.”

After Bowman left the Capitol, Massie, still screaming, told reporters, “Next week I will be reinstating a repeal of the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act. It is the deadliest law ever passed.”

Then he went too.

ABC News’ Libby Cathey contributed to this report.