Sen. Richard Blumenthal says "enough is enough" after Texas church shooting
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, said he is "heartbroken" for all of those who were affected by the deadly shooting at a baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, Sunday -- and he called on Congress to act.
"Horror, heartbreak, shame. Prayers are important but insufficient. After another unspeakable tragedy, Congress must act -- or be complicit," Blumenthal wrote in the wake of the shooting.
"Enough is enough," he said. "Now is the time for commonsense gun violence prevention steps. Congressional complicity must end."
Heartbroken for victims, loved ones, and all affected by the horrific tragedy in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) November 5, 2017
Horror, heartbreak, shame. Prayers are important but insufficient. After another unspeakable tragedy, Congress must act - or be complicit.
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) November 5, 2017
Enough is enough. Now is the time for commonsense gun violence prevention steps. Congressional complicity must end.
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) November 5, 2017
Blumenthal represents the state that suffered its own tragic shooting in 2012, when a gunman opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, killing 20 students and six teachers.
He has since become a vocal critic of members of Congress calling for "thoughts and prayers" in the wake of similar violent shootings -- most recently joining the chorus of fellow senators calling for a revision in the nation's gun laws in the days that followed last month's Las Vegas massacre.
Oh my god. https://t.co/2Crgakq8pN
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) November 5, 2017
Fellow Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, who represents the district of Newtown and is another vocal critic of gun violence, tweeted his reaction to the shooting, writing, "Oh my god."
At least 26 people were killed in the shooting, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a news conference Sunday night.
The shooting suspect has been identified as 26-year-old Devin Patrick Kelley, CBS News has learned from federal law enforcement sources.
Kelley is a former U.S. Air Force member who served from 2010 to 2014. He was dishonorably discharged and court martialed in May 2014, CBS News has learned.