Politicians who tweeted their "thoughts and prayers" to the families of the victims in the mass shooting in San Bernardino have sparked a social media debate surrounding gun control.

Fourteen people were killed and 21 were left wounded after a Muslim couple opened fire at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California, during a Christmas party on Wednesday.

A number of elected officials tweeted who their "thoughts and prayers" for the victims, their families, and the community were be scolded by the press and public for failing to take measures that could curb the onslaught of mass shootings in America.

The New York Daily News even published a provocative cover story, primarily criticizing Republican politicians for praying for the victims of gun violence without taking any tangible action to address the issue.

"God Isn't Fixing This," read Thursday's cover headline on the New York Daily News, mocking the responses of several GOP presidential candidates.

Underneath the headline, the paper stated, "As latest batch of innocent Americans are left lying in pools of blood, cowards who could truly end gun scourge continue to hide behind meaningless platitudes."

That story sparked a heated debate over gun control on Twitter under the hashtag #ThoughtsAndPrayers, as users called out Congress for their inaction on strengthening gun control laws.

Meanwhile, Igor Volsky, contributing editor at Think Progress, revealed that many of the lawmakers expressing "thoughts and prayers" are financially backed by the National Rifle Association or had voted against gun reforms. However, others objected to what they described as "prayer shaming."

2016 GOP hopeful Rand Paul also released a statement criticizing the Daily News for blasting those who are praying for the victims

"This cover on the New York Daily News is a deplorable example of the media putting their political agenda over the suffering of victims and their families," Paul said in a statement posted to his campaign's website. "The genuine thoughts and prayers offered to victims in need are not political fodder."