Hours after a gunman killed at least a dozen people in Virginia Beach, 2020 Democratic presidential candidates releases statements politicizing the tragedy.
All ten Democratic contenders with a polling average of at least 1% took to Twitter to issue statements against gun violence and calling on Congress to act or pushing their own policy proposals to curb mass shootings.
“11 innocent lives cut down. 11 more futures denied. When will we finally say enough is enough? It’s long past time to hold our leaders accountable. Jill and I are heartbroken that more American families are suffering tonight in Virginia Beach,” former Vice President Joe Biden, the current Democratic front-runner, tweeted Friday evening.
11 innocent lives cut down. 11 more futures denied. When will we finally say enough is enough? It’s long past time to hold our leaders accountable. Jill and I are heartbroken that more American families are suffering tonight in Virginia Beach.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) June 1, 2019
Self-described socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont targeted the National Rifle Association and accused the gun group of buying legislators.
“Jane and I are grieving for the victims in Virginia Beach and their families,” Sanders said. “The days of the NRA controlling Congress and writing our gun laws must end. Congress must listen to the American people and pass gun safety legislation. This sickening gun violence must stop.”
Jane and I are grieving for the victims in Virginia Beach and their families.
The days of the NRA controlling Congress and writing our gun laws must end. Congress must listen to the American people and pass gun safety legislation. This sickening gun violence must stop. https://t.co/iSAtYWg7HH
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) May 31, 2019
“I’m heartsick and praying for the victims and their loved ones. Eleven people should not have been murdered today. How many lives will it take before Congress acts to end this crisis?” Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren tweeted.
I’m heartsick and praying for the victims and their loved ones. Eleven people should not have been murdered today. How many lives will it take before Congress acts to end this crisis? https://t.co/SU3oBQRol1
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) May 31, 2019
“Heartbroken for the victims and their families of the Virginia Beach shooting and grateful for the first responders on the scene. This senseless act of violence should not be normal. Too many communities have been shattered by gun violence — we cannot continue to stand idly by,” California Sen. Kamala Harris said.
Heartbroken for the victims and their families of the Virginia Beach shooting and grateful for the first responders on the scene. This senseless act of violence should not be normal. Too many communities have been shattered by gun violence — we cannot continue to stand idly by. https://t.co/JC4L7glGtE
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) May 31, 2019
New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker; South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg; former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, former Texas state Rep. Beto O’Rourke, and former tech executive Andrew Yang also released statements on Twitter, calling for “commonsense gun safety laws” and to break inaction in Congress.
Police shot and killed the 40-year-old shooter Friday after the public employee stormed a government office building, killing at least 12 people. Police investigators are unclear of what prompted the attack.
Early reports suggested the shooter targeted the building in an act of revenge after being fired from his job. Police say that he was still employed by the city when he attacked, however. The shooter used his own security pass to gain access to the building, according to USA Today.
