See below for reactions to the horrific mass shooting in Virginia Beach this evening. This shit has to stop!
VIRGINIA BEACH MAYOR BOBBY DYER: “This is the most devastating day in the history of Virginia Beach.” @BobbyDyerVB pic.twitter.com/1xzh05UX6n
— WAVY TV 10 (@WAVY_News) May 31, 2019
Statement from House Democratic Leader Eileen Filler-Corn on Virginia Beach Shooting
RICHMOND (May 31, 2019) – House Democratic Leader Eileen Filler-Corn issued the following statement in response to the mass shooting at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center today.
“Every single mass shooting is heartbreaking, but it hurts even worse when it happens at home. Our thoughts are with the families and friends who lost loved ones today and with the victims fighting to recover from their injuries. We are forever grateful to our brave law enforcement and first responders.
“Unspeakable acts of violence like Virginia Beach experienced today can not be our new normal.”
Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Responds to Tragic Virginia Beach Shooting
Richmond–Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Mamie Locke released the following statement in response to the tragic Virginia Beach shooting that took place this afternoon.
“Our thoughts are with the victims, and loved ones, of today’s devestating events. This tragic act of violence has changed their lives for the rest of time.
“We are grateful for the law enforcement and first responders who acted swiftly to secure the scene and to provide medical care to those in need.
“We’ll continue to monitor this event as more details become available. We stand with the victims, their loved ones, and the entire Virginia Beach community.”
Karl Vincent Frisch This doesn’t have to be normal. D.C. and Richmond can do better. Hell, anything would be better than the status quo of inaction.”
Brent Finnegan for Delegate What are we doing to ourselves in this country? My heart is with the shooting victims and their loved ones in Virginia Beach tonight.”
Tim Hickey for Delegate My heartfelt condolences are with the Virginia Beach community tonight. 11 innocent lives lost to senseless gun violence. Thank you to the first responders who were there to assist. We must do better by our families, friends, and neighbors here in the Commonwealth and in our country. That’s why your vote matters.”
Jennifer Barton Boysko Words are not sufficient. Mourning the loss of the 11 people murdered in Virginia Beach. When will enough be enough?”
Virginia Republicans Have Failed the Commonwealth on Gun Violence
News of a tragic shooting at Municipal Building in Virginia Beach illustrates Richmond’s inaction on guns
Virginia Beach, VA— Late Friday afternoon, news broke of shooting at a municipal building in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Eleven Virginians had their lives stolen. The victims, survivors, families, first responders and the entire Virginia Beach community are in our hearts.
Coalition to Stop Gun Violence Virginia State Director Lori Haas issued the following statement:
“Tonight we grieve with the community of Virginia Beach — especially the families of those killed, those injured, first responders, and friends of all those directly affected.
“But we have said that far too often. Virginia Tech, the Navy Yard, WDBJ, domestic violence shootings, daily gun violence including suicides and in impacted communities across the Commonwealth. The list goes on and on.
“Following each tragedy, Republicans in the General Assembly have remained unphased. Chalking up the deaths of Virginians to the perverse price of a ‘guns everywhere’ mantra. It is insulting to all those survivors, families, and advocates who are begging for action on this epidemic.
“As we continue to monitor the situation in Virginia Beach, let me please remind all of those in the Commonwealth that we have a choice. State elections in Virginia are this November. We the people can elect a majority that will put the safety of our families first by passing and enacting stronger gun laws. We deserve a Virginia that puts the safety of its citizens over the power of the gun lobby.”
Here is what happens in #vagov — a state that has seen gun tragedy after tragedy & @VA_GOP lawmakers still refuse to act.
The @VASenateGOP and @vahousegop hold one (1!) seat majorities in BOTH. The house only because of a coin flip.
All seats are up THIS November!!!!
— CSGV (@CSGV) May 31, 2019
My statement regarding the tragedy unfolding in Virginia Beach: pic.twitter.com/2DzWnm7wtt
— Senate Dem Leader Dick Saslaw (@DickSaslaw) May 31, 2019
@BarbaraFavola “My heart aches for all those impacted by today’s shootings in Virginia Beach. We must take action and put an end to gun violence in our Commonwealth. #NeverAgain”
Ghazala Hashmi for Virginia Senate “I am deeply saddened by the tragic shooting in Virginia Beach today. My heart goes out to the victims and their families, but I’m tired of sending my “thoughts and prayers” to those affected by gun violence. We need to take action in our General Assembly to stop these horrific events from happening and to do that we need to elect public officials with the backbone to stand up to the NRA.”
Alicia Plerhoples for Chairman “My heart goes out to the victims and their families and friends. We should treat each senseless act of mass gun violence as the very last — react with shock, not apathy, and then act to end it.”
Kenny Boddye for Occoquan District Supervisor “My heart goes out to the the victims and survivors of this tragedy and their families. Whether it’s a school, house of worship, government building, or any other place, we should be able to live our lives in peace and safety without the fear of gun violence. We need to elect leaders who will actually confront our need for gun safety reform. The time for thoughts and prayers is over.”
McKay for Chairman “I am sickened and heartbroken about the news of the mass shooting in Virginia Beach. The shooting was in a local government building. For decades Fairfax County has sought approval from Richmond in our Legislative Package to restrict guns in our own government buildings. Not only do we need those restrictions, but we need far more common sense gun control in Virginia. Despite great efforts from our local Delegates and Senators, we cannot even restrict guns in government buildings in Virginia. Hopefully we take action this November at the ballot box to fix this! Enough is enough!”
Virginia is still for lovers and we need some serious love for those who lost their lives and for those who were injured and traumatized.
Obviously we also pray for them and their loved ones, and they and the entire Virginia Beach community are in our thoughts.
Tonight, we mourn.
But tomorrow, we get right back up to organize and to do all we can proactively to ensure that another mass gun tragedy doesn’t happen again.
Policy makers need to come together and agree on practical and common sense solutions to keep our workplaces, schools, and other public places safer from gun violence.
Families, friends, law enforcement and healthcare professionals need to develop more effective ways to identify those who suffer from mental health or other severe emotional issues, and to provide them with meaningful treatments to prevent them from turning to violence to resolve personal conflicts.
I know these quick ideas aren’t enough and perhaps some may say they aren’t even workable. But we have to do something, right?
Doing nothing in the face of epidemic of violence is not an option.
Status quo isn’t working in Virginia Beach or in any other community in America.
If we are going to be a civil society that cherishes individual liberties and democratic self-governing, we must all come up with solutions together.
These victims and their families deserve such a society.
HOW MANY MORE TIMES MUST THIS HAPPEN BEFORE WE ACT? Twelve people – mostly city employees – in one of the Virginia Beach municipal buildings are gone. As the former Federal lobbyist for the city this is especially heartbreaking. My heart is with the people of Virginia Beach, and the families of the victims.
Virginia Tech, Columbine, Newtown, Parkland… the list goes on and on. I vow to fight until we’ve passed sensible gun violence prevention legislation in Virginia.
Never again.
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