The Orlando massacre, which to date saw the biggest death toll involving gun violence in the US, renewed public outcry for gun control. While some saw the Orlando shooting as an issue of terrorism and others saw it as discrimination against the LGBT community, the general public is unable to ignore the issue of gun control involved.
CNN cites Democratic Party Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut in the Orlando shooting as an emphasis to the need to strengthen gun control law in the country. According to Senator Murphy, responsibility lies partly on Congress for the Orlando shooting.
"Congress has become complicit in these murders by its total, unconscionable deafening silence," Senator Murphy stated. "This doesn't have to happen, but this epidemic will continue without end if Congress continues to sit on its hands and do nothing -- again."
Senator Murphy finds Democratic presidential aspirant Senator Bernie Sanders in agreement. According to Bernie Sanders, the filter for gun ownership should be redefined so that weapons do not come into the possession of those who shouldn't.
CBS News reports that Connecticut's Democratic Party Senator, Richard Blumenthal, added his own appeal for stronger gun control. Richard Blumenthal highlighted the need to apply common sense in exerting gun control.
Democratic Party Senator Robert Casey of Pennsylvania committed to taking the practical route, on the other hand, as a response to the Orlando shooting. According to CBS News, Robert Casey promised to push forward a bill called the Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
The bill seeks to prohibit gun ownership of any individual that has had prior conviction for "misdemeanor hate crime." The Hate Crimes Prevention Act adds to the current law, which already disallows convicted felons from owning guns.
The alleged shooter, Omar S Mateen was reportedly under FBI watch for terrorism suspicions. Despite this, the alleged Orlando shooter was allowed to purchase weapons, which would not have happened with tighter gun control measures.
