2020 Dems react to Virginia shooting: ‘We must act’

Several Democrats running for president in 2020 called for action in response to Friday’s shooting in Virginia Beach, which killed 11 people and injured six.

The shooting took place about 4 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Municipal Building when Virginia Beach Police Chief James Cervara said a “longtime employee of public utilities” began to “indiscriminately fire upon all the victims.”

{mosads}Nearly all the presidential contenders repeated calls for Washington to enact stricter gun control measures to prevent future attacks.

“11 innocent lives cut down. 11 more futures denied. When will we finally say enough is enough? It’s long past time to hold our leaders accountable. Jill and I are heartbroken that more American families are suffering tonight in Virginia Beach,” former Vice President Joe Biden said.

11 innocent lives cut down. 11 more futures denied. When will we finally say enough is enough? It’s long past time to hold our leaders accountable. Jill and I are heartbroken that more American families are suffering tonight in Virginia Beach.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) June 1, 2019

“Jane and I are grieving for the victims in Virginia Beach and their families,” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) tweeted.”The days of the NRA controlling Congress and writing our gun laws must end. Congress must listen to the American people and pass gun safety legislation. This sickening gun violence must stop.”

Jane and I are grieving for the victims in Virginia Beach and their families.

The days of the NRA controlling Congress and writing our gun laws must end. Congress must listen to the American people and pass gun safety legislation. This sickening gun violence must stop. https://t.co/iSAtYWg7HH

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) May 31, 2019

“Heartbroken for the victims and their families of the Virginia Beach shooting and grateful for the first responders on the scene. This senseless act of violence should not be normal. Too many communities have been shattered by gun violence — we cannot continue to stand idly by,” Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) said.

Heartbroken for the victims and their families of the Virginia Beach shooting and grateful for the first responders on the scene. This senseless act of violence should not be normal. Too many communities have been shattered by gun violence — we cannot continue to stand idly by. https://t.co/JC4L7glGtE

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) May 31, 2019

“I’m heartsick and praying for the victims and their loved ones. Eleven people should not have been murdered today. How many lives will it take before Congress acts to end this crisis?” Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) asked.

I’m heartsick and praying for the victims and their loved ones. Eleven people should not have been murdered today. How many lives will it take before Congress acts to end this crisis? https://t.co/SU3oBQRol1

— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) May 31, 2019

“Another horrific shooting shocks the nation, this time in Virginia Beach. We grieve with those impacted even as we await more information. Already, this much is clear: it is unacceptable for America to remain the only developed country where this is routine. We must act,” South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg tweeted. 

Another horrific shooting shocks the nation, this time in Virginia Beach. We grieve with those impacted even as we await more information. Already, this much is clear: it is unacceptable for America to remain the only developed country where this is routine. We must act.

— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) May 31, 2019

“11 people dead. My heart breaks for those killed in another senseless act of gun violence & the loved ones of the victims whose lives are now shattered. We have the power to stop this—we can & will pass commonsense gun safety laws to end these tragedies,” Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) said.

11 people dead. My heart breaks for those killed in another senseless act of gun violence & the loved ones of the victims whose lives are now shattered. We have the power to stop this—we can & will pass commonsense gun safety laws to end these tragedies. https://t.co/twaqJ99l95

— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) May 31, 2019

“We heard devastating news out of Virginia Beach today and Trudi and I mourn with the victims’ families. Thoughts and prayers are never enough. State and national leaders must step up to enact reforms that will prevent lives from being lost,” Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) tweeted.

We heard devastating news out of Virginia Beach today and Trudi and I mourn with the victims’ families. Thoughts and prayers are never enough. State and national leaders must step up to enact reforms that will prevent lives from being lost.

— Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) May 31, 2019

“The news out of Virginia Beach is simply devastating. Public servants who just showed up to do their job are not coming home tonight because of gun violence. This story has played out too many times in too many towns. We need to stand up and stop this. #EnoughIsEnough” former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper said (D) said.

The news out of Virginia Beach is simply devastating. Public servants who just showed up to do their job are not coming home tonight because of gun violence. This story has played out too many times in too many towns. We need to stand up and stop this. #EnoughIsEnough

— John Hickenlooper (@Hickenlooper) May 31, 2019

“As I was with a film crew recording a video on mass shootings we were told another community has suffered a mass shooting. #Virginia, we mourn with you. This can never be normal. It is never too early for us to also say #EnoughIsEnough,” tweeted Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), who has made gun control the cornerstone of his White House bid. 

As I was with a film crew recording a video on mass shootings we were told another community has suffered a mass shooting. #Virginia, we mourn with you. This can never be normal. It is never too early for us to also say #EnoughIsEnough.

— Eric Swalwell (@ericswalwell) May 31, 2019

“Too many lives cut short. This has to stop. I’m holding Virginia Beach in my heart tonight,” Montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D) said.

Too many lives cut short. This has to stop. I’m holding Virginia Beach in my heart tonight.

— Steve Bullock (@GovernorBullock) May 31, 2019

“We’re heartbroken. We’re angered. We’re out of patience. It’s within our power to stop these mass murders. Gun control now,” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) tweeted.

We’re heartbroken.
We’re angered.
We’re out of patience.

It’s within our power to stop these mass murders. Gun control now. https://t.co/lOaK4Bju9Q

— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) May 31, 2019

“Our hearts are with the people of Virginia Beach, especially the victims and their families in this time of grief,” former Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.) tweeted. 

“This is the most devastating day in the history of Virginia Beach,” –Mayor Robert M. Dyer. Our hearts are with the people of Virginia Beach, especially the victims and their families in this time of grief.

— John Delaney (@JohnDelaney) May 31, 2019

Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas) said he wants to work with Americans “to meet this crisis with the urgency it demands and finally end this epidemic.”

Thinking of the Virginia Beach community, the families forever changed, the lives cut short by gun violence and the inaction in this country to prevent it. I want to work with you to meet this crisis with the urgency it demands and finally end this epidemic.

— Beto O’Rourke (@BetoORourke) May 31, 2019

“We can and must pass common sense reforms to end the gun violence epidemic,” former San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro said.

Heartbreaking news out of Virginia Beach as another community copes with a senseless gun violence attack. We can and must pass common sense reforms to end the gun violence epidemic—and ensure no community has to endure the pain that the Virginia Beach community feels today. https://t.co/keFnFAcLed

— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) June 1, 2019

“I’m heartbroken and furious for the Virginia Beach community, particularly the loved ones of the 11 people murdered today,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) tweeted.

I’m heartbroken and furious for the Virginia Beach community, particularly the loved ones of the 11 people murdered today.

We can’t keep doing this. https://t.co/S68meHLEWy

— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) June 1, 2019 

Entrepreneur Andrew Yang called the shooting a “nightmare come true” and said it needed to be “harder for people to get and use guns that can cause such tragedies.”

The shooting in Virginia Beach is a nightmare come to life – a disgruntled employee who massacred innocents. My heart goes out to the families and individuals who were killed and injured. We have to make it harder for people to get and use guns that can cause such tragedies.

— Andrew Yang (@AndrewYang) June 1, 2019

“I’m committed to doing my part to help make this nation a place where these incidents never happen ever,” Miramar, Fla., Mayor Wayne Messam tweeted.

My heart cries for the Virginia Beach victims lost and the survivors who must now make sense of this senseless act of gun violence. I’m committed to doing my part to help make this nation a place where these incidents never happen ever. https://t.co/stSuI4fR65

— Wayne Messam (@WayneMessam) June 1, 2019

Gun control has become one of the Democratic Party’s most animating issues after a string of high-profile mass shootings sparked calls from the party’s base for tighter gun laws, including universal background checks and an assault weapons ban.

Harris and Booker have both released plans to combat gun violence.