The Democratic candidates for president immediately reacted to the mass shooting in San Bernardino, Calif., condemning the failure to enact new gun control laws despite the frequency of such events.
“I refuse to accept this as normal. We must take action to stop gun violence now,” front-runner Hillary Clinton tweeted out soon after reports of the attack began to circulate.
I refuse to accept this as normal. We must take action to stop gun violence now. -H https://t.co/SkKglwQycb
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) December 2, 2015
Clinton has made gun control a central part of her primary campaign, and is in favor of an assault weapons ban and stronger background checks. The former secretary of state has said that she would promote these policies by executive action if necessary.
Clinton’s main primary opponent Bernie Sanders took a similar tone, tweeting, “Mass shootings are becoming an almost-everyday occurrence in this country. This sickening and senseless gun violence must stop.”
Mass shootings are becoming an almost-everyday occurrence in this country. This sickening and senseless gun violence must stop.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) December 2, 2015
Sanders has been criticized for occasionally voting against gun control in Congress. He is a senator from Vermont, where there are few gun regulations.
Underdog candidate Martin O’Malley took the most strident stance, blaming the National Riffle Association for the incident.
Horrifying news out of #SanBernardino. Enough is enough: it’s time to stand up to the @NRA and enact meaningful gun safety laws
— Martin O’Malley (@MartinOMalley) December 2, 2015
The former Maryland governor called for “meaningful gun safety laws.”
