HRC statement on mass shooting in Las Vegas: ‘It’s time for Congress and the White House to act’

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) responded to the mass shooting in Las Vegas where at least 58 people have been killed and 515 injured.

HRC President Chad Griffin said: “After Newtown, our nation called for action. After Tucson, Virginia Tech, Aurora, San Bernardino, Charleston, and Alexandria, we called for action. After the shooting at Pulse Nightclub a little more than a year ago, we called for action. Yet, in the face of these mounting tragedies, many of our lawmakers have refused to act on meaningful gun safety legislation. As these politicians fail to act, at least 58 people in Las Vegas were killed last night, while hundreds more have been injured. It’s time for Congress and the White House to act. We need leadership now, and we must continue to demand it until our lawmakers either hear us — or we have new lawmakers.”

This tragedy comes just more than a year since 49 lives — most of them Latinx — were taken in a mass shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando. This also comes as Congress is considering legislation to allow silencers and transportation of concealed weapons across state lines.

HRC backs common-sense gun violence prevention policy measures and policies aimed at addressing the epidemic of hate that has fueled anti-LGBTQ-motivated murder, assault, and discrimination.

President Donald Trump, Monday, offered condolences to the Las Vegas shooting victims, but didn’t mention the issue of guns.

For decades, LGBTQ people have been a target for bias-motivated violence, and easy access to deadly weapons has compounded this threat. Common-sense gun violence prevention measures endorsed by HRC include banning access to assault-style rifles, expanding background checks, and limiting the ability for suspected terrorists and those with a history of domestic abuse to access guns.

According to Everytown for Gun Safety, more than 33,000 gun deaths happen every year.