From left, Melody Stout, Hannah Payan, Aaliyah Alba, Sherie Gramlich and Laura Barrios comfort each other during a vigil for victims of the shooting Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019, in El Paso, Texas. A young gunman opened fire in an El Paso, Texas, shopping area during the busy back-to-school season, leaving multiple people dead and more than two dozen injured.
John Locher / Associated Press
John Locher / Associated Press
From left, Melody Stout, Hannah Payan, Aaliyah Alba, Sherie Gramlich and Laura Barrios comfort each other during a vigil for victims of the shooting Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019, in El Paso, Texas. A young gunman opened fire in an El Paso, Texas, shopping area during the busy back-to-school season, leaving multiple people dead and more than two dozen injured.
In the wake of mass shootings in Texas and Ohio that left at least 29 people dead, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf called for increased gun restrictions and targeting white nationalism.
We can ban assault weapons and institute stricter background checks.
We can make communities safer.
We can target white nationalism and promote tolerance.
We can invest in mental health care and help those struggling.
We cannot accept this violence as normal. We must act.
— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) August 4, 2019
Several other Pennsylvania politicians called for action, following the mass shootings.
Sen. Bob Casey echoed Wolf in a statement, concluding:
“Today, President Trump should address the nation to condemn white nationalism and pledge an all of government effort to confront white nationalist terrorism. For years, Congressional Republicans have blocked action on measures to reduce gun violence and they must be held accountable. It’s time for Senator McConnell and Congressional Republicans to confront gun violence or get out of the way.”
Casey and Republican Sen. Pat Toomey also took to Twitter:
Once again, our nation is confronted with a mass shooting. As we all pray for El Paso, those of us in public office have an obligation to do more and take action on gun violence.
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) August 3, 2019
While no law will end mass shootings entirely, it’s time for Congress to act to help keep our communities safer. We should start by passing bipartisan proposals such as my legislation with Senator Joe Manchin to expand background checks to all commercial firearm sales.
— Senator Pat Toomey (@SenToomey) August 4, 2019
I also agree with Senator Lindsey Graham that we should pass a bipartisan “red flag” measure that enables families and law enforcement to obtain a court order to keep guns away from dangerous individuals.”
— Senator Pat Toomey (@SenToomey) August 4, 2019
In 2013, Toomey teamed up with U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat, in an attempt to expand background check requirements. The efforts failed.
On Sunday, Toomey specifically called for the use of a “red flag” measure, also known as extreme risk protection orders. Wolf and some Republican lawmakers are also pushing for the creation of those in Pennsylvania.
U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans, D-3, posted on social media throughout the weekend. Evans represents Philadelphia, where there was a mass shooting last week. His campaign Facebook page’s profile picture promotes Wear Orange for Gun Safety 2019.
Evans noted languishing legislation — including one bill that would prevent people from buying firearms before background checks have been completed, which currently can happen if the checks take longer than three days.
Philadelphia.
Gilroy.
El Paso.
Dayton.
The Senate has a duty to act on the 2 House-passed gun reform bills that would save lives.Elections have consequences.
— Dwight Evans (@RepDwightEvans) August 4, 2019
Wolf’s tweets echoed some from Rep. Brendan Boyle, the Democrat representing North Philly.
White nationalist terrorism is a threat in America today just as jihadist terrorism was for much of this century. White nationalism must be condemned and defeated.
— US Rep Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) August 4, 2019
Mike Doyle, D-18, represents Pittsburgh, where 11 people were killed during a mass shooting at a synagogue last October. Doyle called for action on Twitter:
My heart goes out to Dayton and El Paso. Thoughts and prayers are once again offered, but nothing else. One of these horrific acts a day was bad enough; how much worse will it have to get before we act? pic.twitter.com/TmQcbuOMi2
— Mike Doyle (@USRepMikeDoyle) August 4, 2019
Democrat Conor Lamb, whose district includes a significant swath of suburban Pittsburgh, tweeted Saturday: “the people of Pittsburgh stand with the entire El Paso community. Praying for all of you. We cannot go on like this.”
On Sunday, Lamb called out Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on social media accounts affiliated with his office and re-election campaign, noting the universal background checks bill that hasn’t moved since passing the House earlier this year.
So did Congresswomen Susan Wild of the Lehigh Valley 7th district, Chrissy Houlahan of the 6th (Chester and southern Berks counties), Madeleine Dean of the 4th (most of Montgomery and a small part of Berks counties) and Mary Gay Scanlon of the 5th (Delaware County and small sections of South Philly and Montgomery County).
Devastated to once again hear of an episode of mass gun violence, this time in #ElPaso. My heart grieves for their community. This country must take sensible steps to stop gun violence. Hey @senatemajldr, let’s start w/ the Senate taking up the Bipartisan Background Checks Act!
— Rep. Susan Wild (@RepSusanWild) August 3, 2019
Waking up to yet another mass shooting, I would like to ask if the Senate, specifically @senatemajldr, would now consider taking up gun legislation already passed in the House. /1
— Chrissy Houlahan (@RepHoulahan) August 4, 2019
Brian Fitzpatrick, who represents Bucks and a small part of Montgomery counties, was the only Republican in Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation who’d called for action as of Sunday night.
It is time to put aside differences and change our laws and policies to address these threats and prevent these horrific acts from occurring. Hate in all of its forms must end.
— Brian Fitzpatrick (@RepBrianFitz) August 4, 2019
Some lawmakers were quiet on social media or offered prayers without proposing any changes to gun laws.
God bless the victims and their loved ones of these senseless acts of violence and cowardice. #Dayton #ElPaso #Gilroy
— RepScottPerry (@RepScottPerry) August 4, 2019
Americans across our country are grieving with the families and loved ones of those killed this weekend in El Paso and Dayton. I am praying for the recovery of injured survivors and for an end to these senseless and tragic acts of violence.
— Rep. Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyPA) August 4, 2019
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