Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) both released statements on June 12 decrying the mass shooting at an Orlando, Florida, gay nightclub and calling for Congress to act. The violence that occurred at Pulse nightclub is considered the single deadliest mass shooting in United States history, with 49 confirmed dead and another 53 injured.
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The shooter, identified as 29-year-old Omar Mateen, was a U.S. born citizen who reportedly acquired his weapons legally and was employed with a security company. He claimed just prior to the shooting to be affiliated with the radical Islamic organization, ISIS. It is not believed he was working on any coordinated activity for the group and was most likely radicalized through online interactions.
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro said in her statement: “The attack earlier today in Orlando is tragic and heartbreaking. As we mourn the loss of so many lives in what is the largest mass shooting and hate crime in U.S. history, our hearts are heavy. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their friends and families, and the community, as they suffer from this senseless act of violence.
“As our nation marks LGBT Pride Month, we are reminded that no one should ever be a target because of who they are or whom they love. We stand with the people of Orlando and the LGBT community across the nation and the world. Love will triumph over hate and fear.
“From Newtown and Aurora, to San Bernardino and now Orlando, gun violence is tearing apart American communities. Congress must take immediate, commonsense action to help save lives, which includes banning high-capacity magazines and allowing federal funding for gun violence research.”
Murphy released the following statement:
“I’m aching for the victims, their loved ones, and the people of Orlando, and I pray that all those injured have a quick and full recovery. I know the pain and sadness that has brought too many communities – Newtown, Oregon, Aurora, San Bernardino, and now Orlando – to their knees, and I can only hope that America’s leaders will do something to prevent another community from being added to the list. This phenomenon of near constant mass shootings happens only in America – nowhere else. Congress has become complicit in these murders by its total, unconscionable deafening silence. This doesn’t have to happen, but this epidemic will continue without end if Congress continues to sit on its hands and do nothing – again.”