'There Are No Words': Mass. Politicians React To 2nd US Mass Shooting In 24 Hours
BOSTON (CBS) --Politicians in Massachusetts took to Twitter Sunday to express their condolences and voice their anger over the second mass shooting in the U.S. in 24 hours. Following a shooting at a mall in El Paso, Texas that took 20 lives, a mass shooting outside a bar in Dayton, Ohio left nine dead.
Gov. Charlie Baker wrote, "difficult to comprehend another mass shooting in less than 24 hours in Ohio that senselessly took the lives of innocent people and hurt many people."
Difficult to comprehend another mass shooting in less than 24 hours in Ohio that senselessly took the lives of innocent people and hurt many others. We commend law enforcement for their fast response and pray for victims + families. MA's strong gun laws should be a national model
— Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) August 4, 2019
Sen. Elizabeth Warren said, "I'm heartsick for the 29 people killed this weekend in El Paso and Dayton -- and all the other lives we lose every day due to senseless gun violence."
We're waking up to the second mass shooting in as many days. I'm heartsick for the 29 people killed this weekend in El Paso and Dayton—and all the other lives we lose every day due to senseless gun violence. We need to take urgent action to end the gun violence epidemic.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) August 4, 2019
She later added, "The House passed a bill more than 5 months ago to require basic background checks on gun sales -- the very least we can do to keep our loved ones safe."
The House passed a bill more than 5 months ago to require basic background checks on gun sales — the very least we can do to keep our loved ones safe. How many more people need to die before @SenateMajLdr McConnell puts aside @NRA interests and gives that bill a vote?
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) August 4, 2019
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said, "There are no words. My condolences to the families who are mourning the death of a loved one as a result of gun violence. We need gun reform now."
Waking up to the news of another mass shooting in less than 24 hours. There are no words. My condolences to the families who are mourning the death of a loved one as a result of gun violence. We need gun reform now.
— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) August 4, 2019
Rep. Joe Kennedy listed the locations of mass shootings in U.S., mentioning Dayton and El Paso to Sandy Hook.
Aurora, Colorado deserved better. Aurora, Illinois deserved better. Tree of Life deserved better. Gilroy deserved better. The community where this happens this week will deserve better.
— Joe Kennedy III (@joekennedy) August 4, 2019
Rep. Ayanna Pressley chose to focus on Sen. Mitch McConnell and called him "complicit."
.@senatemajldr you could call the Senate back right now & vote on the 2 gun violence prevention bills the House sent you months ago. Passing #HR8 & #HR1112 would save lives. All I want to hear from you is a commitment to stop stalling. You are complicit. https://t.co/lvMphBbC9L
— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) August 4, 2019
Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins released a statement that said in part:
"The violence in Dayton, Ohio, which took place on the 216th day of the year, marked the 251st mass shooting of 2019, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
Vigils are being held across the country for the victims of these senseless acts of violence, and of course Suffolk County and the city of Boston stand arm and arm with people of Gilroy, El Paso, and Dayton. We know the strength of solidarity. We remember cities uniting behind us when we experienced terror at the finish line of the Boston Marathon six years ago.
Sadly, these stories of pain and resilience are too familiar. They are a part of a seemingly endless cycle of violence we refuse to address with the urgency it deserves.
Thoughts and prayers do not keep our festivals, stores, nightclubs, schools, marathons, movie theaters, churches, or streets safe. We must do more."
Devastated by the news out of El Paso and Dayton. My heart is with everyone affected.
— Nick Collins (@nickcollinsma) August 4, 2019
From Ohio, to Texas, to Massachusetts, we have to band together in denouncing these vile acts of domestic terrorism.
We must act to #EndGunViolence #EnoughIsEnough
This is where we are in America. We cannot even mourn the last mass shooting before news breaks of another one.
— Maura Healey (@MassAGO) August 4, 2019
We must ask ourselves today: what will I do to help prevent gun violence and enact meaningful reforms? #Enough #ThisIsAmerica
Filled with sadness & anger after waking up to another mass shooting. Our prayers are with the victims & their loved ones in #Dayton.
— Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) August 4, 2019
But the American people didn't elect us to tweet. They elected us to act. We need commonsense laws to prevent #GunViolence right now! https://t.co/4Lnm4cQsw5
Months ago the House passed two gun safety bills, yet the Senate continues to do nothing.
— Congresswoman Lori Trahan (@RepLoriTrahan) August 4, 2019
This is not a game of politics, these are American lives at stake @senatemajldr. #GunControlNow
Rep. Stephen Lynch spoke outside his home about the lack of legislative action to stop mass shootings. "I don't know if there is a single 100 percent solution, but there might be 100 1 percent solutions and we've got to start taking action here. Just saying you're sorry and you're praying for the survivors and for their families and for the victims, that's not good enough."