Politicians Offer ‘Thoughts And Prayers,’ But No Help On Gun Control
As a mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, on Wednesday left at least 14 dead and 17 wounded, politicians predictably rushed to express condolences with "thoughts," "prayers" or both.
But when it comes to reforming gun laws, they seemed in no big hurry -- even though the U.S. has tallied more mass shootings so far in 2015 than days in the year. In fact, many of the lawmakers publicly offering "thoughts and prayers" have collected hefty campaign donations from the influential and well-funded gun lobby.
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) has accepted more than $1.3 million from gun rights groups -- a sum the Sunlight Foundation notes is "far more than any other member of Wisconsin's congressional delegation." Johnson holds an "A" rating from the National Rifle Association for opposing gun control measures, including a proposed ban on ammunition magazines that can hold more than 10 bullets.
Johnson on Wednesday sent "thoughts and prayers" to California.
Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) also has an "A" rating from the NRA. She has backed state legislation for lifetime handgun permits and has supported every piece of legislation that maintains or advances the Second Amendment, according to the gun advocacy group. In the 2014 election cycle, Walorski has received $4,500 from the NRA.
Walorski sent "heartfelt" thoughts and prayers to victims of the San Bernardino mass shooting.
When Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) is not sending his "prayers" -- as he was to San Bernardino on Wednesday -- he's supporting laws that would protect gun manufacturers and sellers from being sued. He also apparently thinks three days is too long to wait to buy a gun, and years ago voted to make the waiting period just one day.
Goodlatte benefited from a $9,900 NRA donation during the 2014 cycle.
The NRA pumped more than $922,000 into Sen. Mitch McConnell's (R-Ky.) 2014 re-election campaign. McConnell, who voted against banning high-capacity magazines, called Wednesday's shooting "senseless" and sent "thoughts" to victims and their families.
House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) received $7,450 from the NRA during the 2014 cycle. On his own website, he notes:
Scalise's pro-gun stance has earned him an A+ rating from the National Rifle Association. A member of the Congressional Second Amendment Task Force, Congressman Steve Scalise will continue fighting to protect every citizen's Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.
Scalise tweeted that he was praying for peace for California after Wednesday's attack.
After a mass shooting at a community college in Roseburg, Oregon, in October, the bipartisan congressional Gun Violence Prevention Task Force asked then-House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to call to the floor "legislation that can protect innocent lives while safeguarding the rights of law abiding gun owners."
A letter from the group was signed by 152 Democrats and five Republicans. And nothing happened. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), chairman of the task force, urged fellow members not to let another mass shooting happen before they took action.
"Every single time a mass shooting happens, we go through the same routine," Thompson said in a statement at the time. "Thoughts and prayers are sent. Statements are made. Stories are written. And nothing changes.
"Let’s have this time be different. This time, let’s actually pull together and do something to make our country safer.”
That was 90 mass shootings ago.
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