[ad_1]
"Our hearts are with Midland, Odessa and all the people of West Texas who have to endure this again.More information is coming, but here's what we know: we need to end this epidemic",
he tweeted. Speaking at an event in Fairfax Station, Virginia, as details of the shooting unfolded, O'Rourke said: "There is no reason why we must accept this as our fortune, our future. "
At least five people were killed during the Saturday massacre, said Devin Sanchez, spokesman for the city of Odessa. Midland police confirmed on a Facebook page that the gunman was shot dead in Odessa.
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said on Saturday that President Donald Trump had been informed of the shooting and that the White House was monitoring the situation.
"Attorney General Barr has just been informed of the shooting in Texas, the FBI and law enforcement are fully engaged, and we will be following others," Trump said on Twitter.
Before leaving for Poland, Vice President Mike Pence said: "Our thoughts are with all the victims and families who have lost lives with their loved ones".
The other Democratic presidential candidates of O 'Rourke, such as Julian Castro, a native of Texas, also reacted to the shooting – Castro
called the current situation "heartbreaking." Candidates who quickly weighed in the rampage urged action.
"I have enough, America has enough, we need to act," said California Senator Kamala Harris.
Massachusetts
Senator Elizabeth Warren called the Congress. "We should not be living with this almost daily fear and horror," she said. "We have already lost far too many people because of gun violence – Congress must act now."
South Bend, Indiana,
Mayor Pete Buttigieg shared a similar feeling. "Texas, my heart is with you, America, we must act," he said.
Gun Control Debate
The Judiciary Committee of the House had scheduled a debate on firearms for next week, but the debate was postponed due to Hurricane Dorian. The committee had planned to return a week before the August break to tag gun legislation, but this decision has now been postponed, as several legislators on this committee represent areas of Florida where it is expected the storm hits.
Despite the shootings, lawmakers remain skeptical that any move radically amending the country's gun control laws will get enough Republican support in the Senate to be passed. Congress has long fought against gun violence in the United States, even after the massive shooting that took place in Columbine in 1999.
Although Trump initially announced his support for strengthening firearms purchase background checks earlier this month, he stepped away from those positions after consulting with the chief of the National Rifle Association, Wayne LaPierre, and his conservative allies.
In recent days, Trump has emphasized that mental health care is the main response to the prevention of massacres. He tweeted earlier this month that he had "a very good meeting on the prevention of mass shootings", without specifying any potential political direction.
Trump has already voiced support for tougher firearm restrictions, including after the 2018 mass shootings at a high school in Parkland, Florida, only to back down after NRA pressure.
CNN's DJ Judd, Veronica Stracqualursi and Alex Rogers contributed to this report.
[ad_2]
Source link
