House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) renewed her call for gun control on the 5 year anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida.
In a statement, Pelosi said on Friday, “As we mark LGBTQ Pride Month and Gun Violence Prevention Month, we honor the 49 beautiful souls murdered and 53 injured in a stunning act of hatred and bloodshed at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando.”
She added, “Four years later, the pain remains all too real for the Orlando community, the survivors and the loved ones of those who were killed, but our resolve to end the scourge of gun violence remains unwavering.”
Pelosi noted two bills that Democrats passed in the House when they gained control of the lower chamber — the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and the Enhanced Background Checks Act.
She remembered the anniversary of the Pulse shooting, saying, “The men and women murdered at Pulse were there to enjoy an evening of music, dancing and celebration in a place of safety and solidarity; they had the right to live free from the fear of gun violence and hate.”
Four years ago, 49 beautiful souls were lost & 53 injured in a shocking act of hatred at Orlando’s Pulse Nightclub. Today, we recommit ourselves to honoring their memory & call on the Senate to finally vote on House-passed #EndGunViolence legislation. https://t.co/K1PJXLNCIu
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) June 12, 2020
She also called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to bring the two bills that she highlighted up for a vote on the Senate floor.
Former Vice President Joe Biden (D) also called for action on gun control, writing on Twitter, “Four years ago today, 49 lives were cut short in an act of unspeakable terrorism at Pulse nightclub. As we remember those we lost — including so many in the LGBTQ+ and Hispanic communities — we have to double down on our efforts.”
Four years ago today, 49 lives were cut short in an act of unspeakable terrorism at Pulse nightclub. As we remember those we lost — including so many in the LGBTQ+ and Hispanic communities — we have to double down on our efforts to #HonorThemWithAction. pic.twitter.com/TKaZ4M7IFF
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) June 12, 2020
While gun control has not moved much in the United States over the past few years, it has shifted around the world. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada banned assault rifles after a mass shooting in his country, and in 2019, New Zealand banned most semiautomatic rifles after a mass shooting in Christchurch.
