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Tim Ryan (D-OH, 13th)
"Once again, an all too familiar sense of dread and sadness set in when I saw the news this morning. I am shocked and dismayed by last night’s horrific massacre in Las Vegas. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this senseless violence and their families. My heart breaks for their suffering and loss. The truth is, however, I am tired of offering up the same condolences again and again while Congress continues to sit on the sidelines rather than debate common-sense gun safety measures that could mitigate these all-too-common horrors. As is so often the case, last night’s victims were innocent men and women, young people, and friends enjoying an evening of entertainment. For too long, weapons designed for battlefields have been allowed to tear apart lives and communities here at home. We owe it to those killed and wounded last night, as well as to the countless victims of past violence, to have a serious conversation about how to stop these tragedies that have become commonplace in our society. Continued inaction is a failure of our duty as Members of Congress and comes at too high a price.”
Linda Sanchez (D-CA, 38th)
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great sorrow and anger.
“Late last night, 58 people were tragically murdered, and over 500 wounded in a senseless act of heinous violence in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“The murderer was found to have over ten guns, including at least one automatic rifle.
“No person should be allowed to possess a weapon that makes indiscriminately killing human beings easier. It just baffles me that some of my colleagues don’t agree with that basic premise.
“Not only do they not agree with sensible gun control measures, like background checks and no fly-no buy, they won’t even allow public research dollars to be used to research gun control and gun violence.
“Until Congress acts to make it harder for dangerous people to acquire these types of weapons, tragedies like this will continue to happen.
“How many more people have to die? How much more blood must be shed before Congress decides to act? Moments of silence and the sympathies, thoughts and prayers from members of this body is not enough anymore.
“The time has come to act. We must act now.”
NOTICE: The only ones politicizing this tragedy and using it to call for more gun safety regulations (which would not have helped prevent this tragedy to begin with) are Democrats. The Ponder says BAN IDIOTS NOT GUNS!
John P. Sarbanes (D-MD, 3rd)
“I am horrified and shaken by the violence that took place last night in Las Vegas. My thoughts are with the victims of this heinous act, and my heart goes out to their families and loved ones. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the city’s first responders – not only the courageous law enforcement officials and medical personnel who rushed to the scene, but also the ordinary citizens who risked their lives to help save victims and get people to safety.”
Jan Schakowsky (D-IL, 9th)
“Unspeakable violence terrorized and devastated Las Vegas last night. I cannot imagine the fear and horror that was experienced by tens of thousands of concertgoers outside of the Mandalay Bay Hotel. My thoughts today are with every victim, anyone injured, all those in attendance, and anyone whose loved ones were affected by this national tragedy.
“Only a year and a few months after the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, our country has a harrowing new record for the worst mass shooting in our history. Back home in Chicago, our city has seen close to 500 people murdered by guns so far in 2017. As a country, we cannot accept this as the new normal. Gun violence is a scourge and an epidemic, and it requires bold legislative action. We cannot continue to make excuses. Federal comprehensive gun safety legislation must be a national priority.”
Yes. Let's talk about Chicago, with it's highest gun crime rates in the country. Every one of those criminals didn't care about the gun laws, or the city gun ban; so, I ask you, how would having more laws have saved these people?
Bradley Schneider (D IL, 10th)
“I'm horrified by the senseless shooting last night in Las Vegas. This violence sears our hearts and leaves countless families forever, tragically changed.
“I extend my sincere condolences to all those who lost loved ones and send prayers for recovery to those wounded. And I'm grateful for the professionalism and bravery of law enforcement and first responders during and after this attack.
“Words and prayers are not enough for Las Vegas and other victims of gun violence across our country. We must come together to tackle this epidemic. Enough is enough.”
Robert C. Scott (D-VA, 3rd)
“This morning Americans awoke to news of the deadliest mass shooting in our nation’s history. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and the survivors of this horrific mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada. The frequency of mass shootings are far too common in our country. No one deserves to bear witness to the type of carnage that occurred in Las Vegas last night.
“The federal government is charged with the basic responsibility of keeping Americans safe, and the President and Congress have an obligation to address our nation’s gun violence epidemic. Congress cannot continue to sit idly by. The American people are demanding that their elected officials take action to prevent more of these horrendous and widespread incidences of violence in our country from happening again. Addressing this issue must be our top priority and I urge the President and the leadership in Congress to take meaningful action that is long overdue. The House Democratic Gun Violence Prevention Task Force has made many recommendations that could serve as the beginning of deliberations. Congress could also establish a select committee on this issue pursuant to H. Res. 367, Establishing the Select Committee on Gun Violence Prevention. I and many of my colleagues are ready to work together to make sure these mass shootings are no longer a common occurrence in our society.”
Albio Sires (D-NJ, 8th)
“Once again our Nation faces another act of senseless violence that has taken the lives of at least 50 people and wounded hundreds more. I am saddened and troubled by this most recent attack on innocent civilians outside the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, and I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to all the victims and their families.
I would like to thank all the first responders for their ongoing efforts as this investigation continues. Acts like these are becoming all too frequent in our country, and they are a solemn reminder of the need for Congress to work together to adopt comprehensive legislation that address mass violence incidents such as these. I am confident that the Las Vegas community will prove resilient in the wake of such tragedy and I will keep those affected in my thoughts and prayers as the community continues to come to terms with the events of last night.”
Chris Smith (R-NJ, 4th)
As America grieves for the victims of the horrific mass shooting in Las Vegas, my wife, Marie, and I join our prayers with those being offered across the country. We pray for those whose lives were lost, those suffering critical injuries, and for family members struggling with the sudden shocking loss or injury of loved ones. Our profound gratitude is extended to the first responders and to the brave Americans at the concert who scrambled amidst gunfire to help save friends and strangers alike.
In light of today’s tragedy, I have been asked anew by some about my position on the SHARE Act. Because the current regulations governing the purchasing of silencers are designed to protect Americans and do not threaten Americans’ fundamental Second Amendment rights, I advised the Republican leadership several days ago that I will be voting “no” on the SHARE act.
Steve Stivers (R-OH, 15th)
"I was horrified to hear about this act of mindless violence in Las Vegas. The local law enforcement and first responders are the heroes of this situation. To the families who are experiencing unthinkable loss this morning, we stand with you and will be praying for you."
Mark Takano (D-CA, 41st)
“I am heartbroken and sickened by the tragedy that struck Las Vegas last night. My thoughts and condolences are with the victims and their loved ones during this incredibly painful time. Words cannot express my gratitude to the law enforcement officers and first responders who put their lives on the line in the service of others.
“Tonight, parents will mourn the loss of children, children will mourn the loss of parents, and families will gather in hospitals praying for good news. It is our responsibility to ask ourselves why. Why do mass shootings occur so regularly in America? What are we doing to prevent these acts of domestic terror? How does it serve the public interest to have weapons on our streets that enable one person to inflict such horrific damage on our communities?
“These hard questions have gone unanswered for far too long, and our communities are suffering the consequences.”
Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS, 2nd)
“Today, our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Las Vegas and all who were affected by the terrible mass shooting last night. We are forever thankful to the first responders who put their lives on the line to help those in need. Mass shootings have been too common in recent years and it is clear that much more needs to be done. Only if we work together can we counter the forces of terror and hate – no matter the source.”
Mike Thompson (D-CA, 5th)
“Today, the nation woke up to an unimaginable horror. In an act of violence unlike any we have ever seen before, one gunman killed at least 58 people and injured 515. This is the deadliest shooting in our history. Families have lost loved ones and the wounded will face a lifetime of physical and mental health effects.
“This should serve as a wakeup call to our nation, but most importantly to our lawmakers. In Newtown, we saw 27 lives – including small children – senselessly ended. Americans demanded action. The Congress did nothing. When a madman entered a theater in Aurora and killed 12, Congress did nothing. When a white supremacist entered a church in Charleston and killed 9, Congress did nothing. When a man driven by hate entered a nightclub in Orlando and killed 49, Congress did nothing. When their own colleagues were fired upon at baseball practice, Congress did nothing.
“What is it going to take? If Congress does nothing, its Leadership is complicit.
“Instead of giving us a vote on bipartisan, commonsense legislation to expand the background check on gun purchases, the Republican Leadership is pushing a bill that will deregulate silencers. If the American people knew that in the face of the gun violence epidemic, the only gun provisions this Congress is considering is a proposal to make it easier for more people to get silencers, they would be appalled.
“This isn’t about helping hunters or sportsmen, this is about making more money for gun manufacturers. Their sales are slumping. They need a new revenue stream. Imagine if car sales were falling and we lowered the standards of requirements to get a driver's license. We would never do that for cars. Why would we do it for something as lethal as a silencer?
“That’s why I am calling on my Republican and Democratic colleagues to come together. This is not a partisan issue. This is an issue about saving lives and repairing our communities. I have introduced a resolution that would establish a Select Committee on Gun Violence that would consist of equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats and require them to submit a report to Congress on how we can work together to prevent gun violence. We can protect 2nd Amendment rights while making our communities safer. And we can do it together as a nation and as Democrats and Republicans.
“So, while we keep the victims, survivors and their families in our thoughts and prayers, we must act. We must come together. Now is exactly the time. Let’s put party aside and come to the table with solutions. Lives depend on it.”
Dina Titus (D-NV, 1st)
"My heart aches for the victims, their loved ones, and our community. I am grateful for law enforcement's swift response and the many good Samaritans whose selfless acts of bravery showcased Las Vegas' values to the world. We are a resilient and benevolent town that will not be intimidated by acts of violence. During this difficult time, my office will be working closely with local, state, and federal partners to provide support for Southern Nevada as we heal and move forward."
Fred Upton (R-MI, 6th)
“What happened in Las Vegas is heartbreaking beyond belief. Like the rest of the country, my wife Amey and I woke up this morning to the stunning images of victims being mowed down. It almost defies words. Yes, our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of these victims and the hundreds who have been hospitalized. We also thank our First Responders whose swift actions ended this grisly nightmare. While details are still emerging, I join with the rest of the nation in sending our deepest condolences to those affected by this senseless, horrific tragedy.”
Timothy J. Walz (D-MN, 1st)
The events that unfolded last night in Las Vegas are tragic and heartbreaking. And they have become all too common in our country today. We have many questions and few answers, but I refuse to believe nothing can be done to reduce the likelihood of these attacks.
As a lifelong sportsman, I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment. At the same time, there are common-sense things we can do in Congress to prevent these tragedies from taking innocent lives and we must confront the truth that our current laws are not working. To that end, I am calling on Speaker Ryan and my colleagues in Congress to do the following:
1. Establish a select committee on gun violence prevention.
2. Increase access to mental health care nationwide.
3. Lift the ban on Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) research into the gun violence as a public health crisis.
4. Pass universal background check legislation.
5. Oppose current conceal & carry legislation before Congress.
6. Oppose current legislation to reduce restrictions on gun silencers.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL, 23rd)
“While we mourn for the victims, families, survivors and first responders who went through this horrific tragedy in Las Vegas, we cannot stop the conversation there. There was an airport mass shooting in my community in January, and Orlando’s Pulse tragedy is a fresh, painful memory. Now we have a new 'worst-ever gun-shooting' tragedy before us. Congress must send more than thoughts and prayers. It must act, and immediately adopt sensible gun control measures. Every Member of Congress has a moral obligation to take immediate action to prevent these senseless gun deaths from happening yet again.”
Maxine Waters (D-CA, 43rd)
“Like so many across the country, I woke up this morning to the horrific news that our nation had endured yet another act of senseless violence, resulting in the loss of at least 59 innocent lives and leaving more than 500 people injured. This shooting is a painful reminder of just how far we must go to root out acts of mass violence in our country. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, and our resolve as a country must be to stand together in unity and love during such a difficult time.
“There are so many questions surrounding this latest mass shooting, which now has the unfortunate distinction of being the deadliest in modern U.S. history, surpassing the devastating Sandy Hook, Mother Emanuel Church, and Pulse Nightclub massacres. We are still learning more facts about this shooter and his motivations, however, we cannot ignore how deeply disturbing it is to learn that an individual with a capacity for extreme violence was able to gain access to a large number of deadly weapons. When will our society gain the strength and courage to finally face up to the constant threat and danger of guns?
“My heart aches for those who were lost and wounded, their loved ones, the citizens of Las Vegas, and the entire nation as we pull together once again to overcome fear with strength, pride, and love in the face of unconscionable violence.”
Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ, 12th)
“This morning, our nation awoke with grief and despair after learning of the largest mass shooting in our modern history. We will forever hold in our hearts the men and women who tragically and unjustly lost their lives and pray for healing for the wounded, missing and their loved ones.
There are no words for this intentional act of evil and as the investigation continues to unfold I must express my desperation for Congress to take on gun safety reform. Dotted across our map are harrowing accounts of gun violence that have devastated communities – tragedies that claim more and more lives of the innocent with every breaking news report.
There is nothing left to debate. The line has to be drawn – school children were not enough, Members of Congress were not enough, churchgoers at Bible Study were not enough, adults going out to a nightclub was not enough – what will it take?”
Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
“I know I join all Vermonters in reacting with horror and utter disbelief to the slaughter of innocent life in Las Vegas early this morning. It’s hard for any of us to imagine the sheer terror experienced by concertgoers running for their lives, unsure of the depraved shooter’s location. It’s hard to imagine the inconsolable grief being experienced by the families of the victims. And it’s hard to fathom the inaction of Congress in the face of so many mass shootings in this country. What will it take to pass common sense gun laws that take guns out of the hands of people who should not have them? We pray for those injured and killed. And we are grateful yet again for the brave first responders who stopped the shooter and selflessly came to the aid of hundreds of innocent victims.”
Frederica Wilson (D-FL, 24th)
“Today millions of Americans awakened to the stunning news of what is now known as the largest mass shooting in recent U.S. history. This tragic event, which took place in Las Vegas, Nevada, and left more than 50 people dead and injured more than 500 others, should also be a wake-up call to U.S. House and Senate lawmakers to pass legislation to ban assault weapons, like the bill I co-sponsored in the last Congress.
“Just a little over a year ago, the nation mourned the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, during which 49 people were killed and 53 were injured, making it at the time the deadliest mass shooting in recent history.
“I cannot think of a single justification for allowing civilian individuals to own semiautomatic assault weapons, which were created for use in war to kill as many people as possible as quickly as possible. To those who can, I ask the following question:
“How many people must have their lives cut short or changed forever before lawmakers act to end the sale of these weapons and pass other common-sense gun control legislation so that tragedies such as the one that took place last night do not begin to lose their shock value–or better yet, never happen again?”
Lee Zeldin (R-NY, 1st)
“Late last night, a domestic terrorist cowardly attacked concert-goers in a horrific and tragic mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada, that left at least 50 people dead and more than 400 injured. Music should bring us all together and yet again has become the target for these most cowardly acts. While the investigation is ongoing, and details are still emerging, all Americans extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to everyone impacted by this senseless tragedy and thank all first responders on the scene.”
I am positive that these are not all of the statements available by House Representatives. If it seems that I have only covered Democrats' statements, it is because the Republicans are remaining silent for the most part, as usual. I do not have the time today to go through all of the statements that are not here, but this is a good start. My POV is this: It doesn't matter whether these guns are legal or not. CRIMINALS will find a way to get them and CRIMINALS kill. Period. To ban weapons of ANY kind only takes it out of the hands of law-abiding people who would never kill someone to begin with, unless it was in defense of their lives.
