WASHINGTON D.C.— Congressman Eliot L. Engel issued the following statement:
“This morning, America awoke to the deadliest mass shooting in its history.
“The carnage seems almost impossible. More than 400 people injured, 50 dead, and police currently estimate that number will go up. The gunman opened fire from a hotel room window on a concert below, and reports indicate he had a stockpile of weapons, clearly some capable of firing off multiple rounds in seconds. Whatever his evil intentions were, they will not break our spirit as Americans. His terror will not win.
“We’ve long ago run out of the right words to say in these terrible moments. We pray for the dead, the wounded, and their families. We thank the brave first-responders who put their lives on the line to deal with this act of domestic terrorism. But clearly, all of that is not enough. Clearly, we as a country need to do more.
“So, while my thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, my voice, my focus, my energy and my vote as a Member of Congress is with the type of legislation that will curtail the proliferation of gun violence on our streets. We are a civilized country, the greatest country on earth. This should not be happening here, period. We cannot allow ourselves to ever become numb to these moments of horrific violence, and we certainly cannot stand idly by while our fellow citizens are gunned down in cold blood.
“I know my constituents, as most Americans, are shocked, saddened, and angry to know a person can legally buy a military grade automatic rifle in the United States. This is beyond belief and must be outlawed.”
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Bryant Daniels | Director of Public Affairs
Congressman
Eliot L. Engel
2462 Rayburn House Building | (202) 225-2464