Hillary makes Vegas shooting political by attacking the National Rifle Association as she expresses condolences for victims
Hillary Clinton led the Democratic charge for gun control measures in the hours after a shooter in Las Vegas left more than 50 dead.
'Our grief isn't enough. We can and must put politics aside, stand up to the NRA, and work together to try to stop this from happening again,' the former Democratic nominee for president said.
She called out the National Rifle Association for backing legislation that would make it easier for Americans to purchase gun silencers.
Hillary Clinton was the first high-profile Democrat to lash out at the National Rifle Association in the aftermath of last night's mass casualty Las Vegas shooting
Hillary Clinton started by offering condolences but then turned to the National Rifle Association in her Monday morning tweets
She took particular issue with the NRA trying to get it made easier to purchase silencers in several states
'The crowd fled at the sound of gunshots,' Clinton noted.
'Imagine the deaths if the shooter had a silencer, which the NRA wants to make easier to get,' she said.
Last night's shooting is already the deadliest in modern American history, outranking last summer's Pulse nightclub shooting that left 49 and the gunman dead.
Clinton had started her tweets by offering typical condolences.
'Las Vegas, we are grieving with you—the victims, those who lost loved ones, the responders, & all affected by this cold-blooded massacre,' she wrote.
But then pivoted and took on the NRA.
While Democrats are generally on board with such measures, so far Democrats like House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and former President Barack Obama haven't smacked the high-profile gun lobbying group.
In a morning statement, Pelosi simply offered prayers and strong words.
'Horrified and heartbroken by the awful tragedy in #LasVegas last night. Praying for those lost, wounded & waiting for news from loved ones,' the top House Democrat also tweeted.
Her counterpart in the US Senate made a similar statement.
'Deeply saddened for the people of Las Vegas and the country. We will keep the victims & their families in our hearts,' tweeted Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
'I commend the Las Vegas 1st responders, the SWAT team & the regular ppl who acted quickly & saved lives. Thank you,' the Senate minority leader added.
President Obama, who pushed for better gun control measures in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook massacre, and also guided the nation through the Pulse nightclub massacre, which had been the most bloody until now, also left the NRA out of it.
'Michelle & I are praying for the victims in Las Vegas. Our thoughts are with their families & everyone enduring another senseless tragedy,' the ex-president tweeted.
No comments :
Post a Comment