Dems renew calls for gun control in wake of Texas church shooting

Democrats are renewing their calls for gun reform after reports of a mass shooting at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Sunday.

Multiple people are dead after gunfire erupted at the church, which is not far outside San Antonio, according to reports.

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Sens. Bob Casey Jr. (Pa.), Dick Durbin (Ill.) and Kamala Harris (Calif.) were among the Democrats who urged Congress to act in response to the latest deadly shooting.

“I’m thinking of and praying for all those impacted by the shooting in Texas. In addition to offering my prayers and thoughts I also believe Congress must take action on gun violence,” Casey wrote in two separate tweets.

In addition to offering my prayers and thoughts I also believe Congress must take action on gun violence (2/2)

— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) November 5, 2017

“The shooter turned his gun on people — kids — in a place of worship. America is in the grips of a gun violence crisis. Congress must act,” Durbin tweeted.

The shooter turned his gun on people — kids — in a place of worship. America is in the grips of a gun violence crisis. Congress must act. https://t.co/CIJX3jM3Tq

— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) November 5, 2017

Harris, a possible 2020 presidential contender, also condemned “senseless gun violence” after the shooting.

Senseless gun violence has torn apart another community — this time in a house of worship. When do we say enough is enough? https://t.co/gsW1KN54xc

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) November 5, 2017

“Enough is enough,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said in a series of tweets. “Now is the time for commonsense gun violence prevention steps. Congressional complicity must end.” 

Enough is enough. Now is the time for commonsense gun violence prevention steps. Congressional complicity must end.

— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) November 5, 2017

Sens. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.) and Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) also joined their colleagues in condemning the lack of action. 

“When will this end? When will we decide that we can’t accept massacres in our places of worship, schools, or at concerts? When will we actually do something about it?” Feinstein wrote in a statement.

I’m horrified by the news of this latest mass shooting. My thoughts are with all of those in Sutherland Springs. https://t.co/gCTIsAXQX6

— Sen Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) November 5, 2017

“Thoughts & prayers are not enough, GOP. We must end this violence. We must stop these tragedies. People are dying while you wait,” Warren wrote in one tweet.

Thoughts & prayers are not enough, GOP. We must end this violence. We must stop these tragedies. People are dying while you wait.

— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) November 5, 2017

Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, called on his Congressional colleagues to show “courage” and take a stand against gun violence.  

Sickened by yet another mass shooting leaving people dead & injured. Enough! Congress must muster the courage to help prevent gun violence.

— Mike Thompson (@RepThompson) November 5, 2017

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), meanwhile, released a lengthy statement in which he called on his colleagues in Congress to hold themselves accountable.

“Ask yourself – how can you claim that you respect human life while choosing fealty to weapons-makers over support for measures favored by the vast majority of your constituents,” Murphy wrote.

Witnesses said an armed man walked into the First Baptist Church around 11:30 a.m. and opened fire.

Police have not confirmed the official number of fatalities.

The local news station KSAT reported that the gunman was also killed. 

The attack comes more than a month after the nation’s deadliest mass shooting in modern history, in which a gunman opened fire on a country music festival in Las Vegas, killing 58 people and injuring hundreds more.

President Trump, who’s embarking on a 12-day trip to Asia, tweeted shortly after reports of the shooting surfaced. 

“May God be w/ the people of Sutherland Springs, Texas. The FBI & law enforcement are on the scene. I am monitoring the situation from Japan,” Trump wrote. 

— Updated 4:50 p.m.