Congressional Democrats chided their fellow lawmakers Thursday for failing to pass gun control legislation after a gunman opened fire at the office of an Annapolis, Md., newspaper, killing five.
The shooting occurred at the location of the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Md. A reporter in the office at the time, Phil Davis, said a single gunman “shot through the glass door and opened fire on multiple employees.”
Following the incident, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., condemned Congress for not acting.
“Praying for everyone injured & the families of those lost in today’s shooting at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland. Congress has a responsibility to take action to prevent the tragedy of gun violence. Every day it fails to do so is a stain on our country,” Pelosi tweeted.
[Also read: Journalists call out Trump for anti-press rhetoric following Annapolis newsroom shooting]
Praying for everyone injured & the families of those lost in today’s shooting at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland. Congress has a responsibility to take action to prevent the tragedy of gun violence. Every day it fails to do so is a stain on our country.
— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) June 28, 2018
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., echoed Pelosi’s denunciations and said the inaction from lawmakers effectively motivates prospective gunmen.
“Pulling for everyone at the Capital Gazette. Horrible. So awful that my colleagues still don’t understand their unconscionable silence has become a green light for would-be shooters, who perceive inaction as endorsement,” Murphy tweeted.
Pulling for everyone at the Capital Gazette. Horrible.
So awful that my colleagues still don’t understand their unconscionable silence has become a green light for would-be shooters, who perceive inaction as endorsement.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) June 28, 2018
Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., also encouraged her fellow lawmakers to move on legislation to address gun violence.
“The tragedy at the #CapitalGazette in Annapolis is heartbreaking. As we mourn the victims and thank our first responders, let us find the will to take action on gun violence so we can start saving lives,” she said on Twitter.
The tragedy at the #CapitalGazette in Annapolis is heartbreaking. As we mourn the victims and thank our first responders, let us find the will to take action on gun violence so we can start saving lives.
— Sen. Tammy Baldwin (@SenatorBaldwin) June 28, 2018
