The majority of 2020 candidates called for mass gun control Saturday following the deadly shooting at an El Paso Walmart, which resulted in at least 18 fatalities and dozens of injuries.
Police responded to reports of an active shooter at the Cielo Vista Mall Saturday morning after a male suspect opened fire in the Walmart’s parking lot before proceeding inside. At least 18 people were killed and dozens more injured, according to ABC News. The gunman is in police custody, but El Paso Police Department Sgt. Robert Gomez said they have not yet determined a motive.
President Trump responded to the tragedy on Twitter: “Terrible shootings in ElPaso, Texas. Reports are very bad, many killed. Working with State and Local authorities, and Law Enforcement. Spoke to Governor to pledge total support of Federal Government. God be with you all!”
Terrible shootings in ElPaso, Texas. Reports are very bad, many killed. Working with State and Local authorities, and Law Enforcement. Spoke to Governor to pledge total support of Federal Government. God be with you all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 3, 2019
Many Democrat 2020 candidates responded to the mass shooting on social media, calling for gun control and urging Congress to take action.
“We must outlaw all assault style weapons for civilian use,” Marianne Williamson (D) wrote. “Even then, there will still be millions of them on the street. Next we need to outlaw the manufacture and sale of the bullets that they carry.”
“Far too many communities have suffered through tragedies like this already,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) tweeted. “We must act now to end our country’s gun violence epidemic.”
“Sadly, after each of these tragedies the Senate does nothing,” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) echoed. “That has got to change.”
At a certain point it isn’t about what happened; it’s about who we choose to be regarding what happened. Each of us must rise to the occasion now, committing to the electoral defeat of any politician who supports the NRA. Gun safety legislation must be the cry of our generation.
— Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) August 3, 2019
We must outlaw all assault style weapons for civilian use. Even then, there will still be millions of them on the street. Next we need to outlaw the manufacture and sale of the bullets that they carry.
— Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) August 3, 2019
Everyone in America, myself included, is devastated by the news of this latest attack in El Paso. Sadly, after each of these tragedies the Senate does nothing. That has got to change.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) August 3, 2019
The news out of El Paso is devastating. I'm heartbroken for the victims and their families. Far too many communities have suffered through tragedies like this already. We must act now to end our country's gun violence epidemic.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) August 3, 2019
More:
I am devastated by what has happened in El Paso today. Our strength is with the families who are grieving. Our thanks to EPPD. Our commitment is with those who will change this country so that this doesn’t happen again. This beautiful amazing courageous community will overcome.
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) August 3, 2019
My heart is with the people of El Paso today as they cope with a devastating mass shooting—the scope of which we are still learning.
This attack is a tragic reminder of our government’s failure to do its most basic duty: to protect American lives. We need gun reform now. https://t.co/z0JTng4kVa
— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) August 3, 2019
Today’s tragedy in El Paso is heartbreaking for every American. Our prayers go out to the residents of El Paso and all those who have been affected by this horrific act of cowardice. As we all recognize, our thoughts and prayers are insufficient, we must demand action. (1/2)
— John Delaney (@JohnDelaney) August 3, 2019
We must address the gun violence epidemic that is ravaging our country. Thank you to all the members of law enforcement for their work at the scene. (2/2)
— John Delaney (@JohnDelaney) August 3, 2019
Last week it was Gilroy. Today it’s El Paso. How can our country tolerate this? My prayers are yet again with families who are grieving and my thanks are with the first responders, but that is not enough. We must act.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 3, 2019
We need to elect a president who won’t back down from taking on the @NRA to reduce the gun violence that plagues our country. We have the @NRA on the run in Washington State, and it’s time to put them on the run in America.
— Jay Inslee (@JayInslee) August 3, 2019
Enough. We need to end this national nightmare. Praying for everyone affected by this unspeakable tragedy, and for our country to find the moral courage to take action to end this carnage. https://t.co/vqTMSlbR8j
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) August 3, 2019
Heart goes out to the people of El Paso and my friend Beto O’Rourke. https://t.co/HJOTyDY4oF
— Tim Ryan (@TimRyan) August 3, 2019
Heartbroken to hear the news from El Paso. Our thoughts are with those impacted by yet another senseless act of gun violence in America.
How many lives must be cut short? How many communities must be torn apart? It’s past time we take action and end our gun violence epidemic.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 3, 2019
Sending all of our love and strength to the people of El Paso during this terrible tragedy. Thank you to the brave first responders, putting their lives on the line to prevent more from being killed. We can and must come together to prevent these senseless shootings.
— Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) August 3, 2019
My grandmother used to take me to Cielo Vista Mall. Now it’s one more mass shooting scene. How many more must grieve before we act? #ElPaso
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) August 3, 2019
My heart breaks for El Paso and those killed and injured by another mass shooting. This can’t keep happening. It just can’t. Every day Congress refuses to act and pass gun laws is a horrible omission of responsibility. This is a tragedy.
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) August 3, 2019
Today innocent people—families—went to that mall in El Paso. Some of them never came home. The U.S. House has passed common sense gun safety legislation. It is long past time to pass it in the Senate. The question to ask: Whose side are you on? The NRA’s or the people’s.
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) August 3, 2019
My heart breaks for the people of El Paso.
Enough is enough.
We must find a way to come together as a country to end this epidemic.
— Michael Bennet (@MichaelBennet) August 3, 2019
I’m devastated for El Paso and the families whose lives were forever changed today.
But it’s not enough for our hearts to go out to them — our laws fail them and their families. No more. We need action, and we need it now.
— Steve Bullock (@GovernorBullock) August 3, 2019
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