Las Vegas shooting reaction: How Democrats and Republicans responded

Mere hours after a gunman rained fire onto a concert across the Las Vegas Strip, some Democrats were quick to cast blame on the nation’s gun laws. The pivot is a continuation of similar statements following the Orlando nightclub shooting in 2016, as our colleague Amber Phillips explains here.

Sen. Chris Murphy D

Connecticut senator

Oct. 2, 9:22 a.m.

It's time for Congress to get off its a-- and do something. ... To my colleagues: Your cowardice to act cannot be whitewashed by thoughts and prayers.

Later statement

Oct. 2, 6:18 p.m.

I think there is an unintentional endorsement that gets sent to these mass murderers when, after slaughter after slaughter, Congress does nothing.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren D

Massachusetts senator

Oct. 2, 9:41 a.m.

Thoughts and prayers are NOT enough. Not when more moms and dads will bury kids this week, and more sons and daughters will grow up without parents.

Later statement

Oct. 2, 4:34 p.m.

We have to have a conversation about how to stop gun violence

Rep. Seth Moulton D

Massachusetts congressman, 6th district

Oct. 2, 9:56 a.m.

As after #Orlando, I will NOT be joining my colleagues in a moment of silence on the House Floor that just becomes an excuse for inaction.

Hillary Clinton D

2016 Democratic presidential nominee and former New York senator

Oct. 2, 10:04 a.m.

Our grief isn't enough. We can and must put politics aside, stand up to the NRA, and work together to try to stop this from happening again.

Rep. Jared Huffman D

California congressman, 2nd district

Oct. 2, 10:29 a.m.

Grim win for soulless gun industry. Gun sales will now soar -- from those afraid, & surely from a few who would immitate. $$ all the same.

Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin D

Maryland senator

Oct. 2, 12:21 p.m.

We need to stop the carnage. More talk and prayers will not save lives. Only action and real changes in our laws can. #LasVegas #GunSafety

Sen. Mark R. Warner D

Virginia senator

Oct. 2, 12:30 p.m.

I know today’s the day we ought to be focusing on the victims.. somehow offering thoughts & prayers doesn’t seem like enough.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar D

Minnesota senator

Oct. 2

I have long supported sensible gun legislation and funding for mental illness. We must open our hearts and minds to new approaches. We must do more than express sympathy, no matter how heartfelt it is.

Sen. Patty Murray D

Washington senator

Oct. 2

Many people may be saying now is not the time to talk about gun safety, but like so many moms and dads in our country, I want to know – if not now, when?

Sen. Kamala Harris D

California senator

Oct. 2, 1 p.m.

Another moment of silence won’t suffice. Ninety Americans are killed, on average, every day by guns. We cannot simply throw up our hands or continue to justify the presence of weapons of war whose primary purpose is to kill the largest number of human beings in the shortest amount of time possible.

Sen. Bernie Sanders I

Vermont senator

Oct. 2, 12:55 p.m.

It is long past time for Congress to take action on gun safety to save innocent lives.

Mark Kelly and former Rep. Gabby Giffords D

Former astronaut, and his wife, former Arizona congresswoman, Tuscon shooting victim

Oct. 2, 1:15 p.m.

Your thoughts and prayers aren't going to stop the next shooting.

Sen. Charles E. Schumer D

New York senator and Senate minority leader

Oct. 2, 3:34 p.m.

How did this monster acquire the arsenal he used to rain down death on a crowd of innocents? Were those guns purchased legally? ... What Congress must do is pass laws that keep our citizens safe.

Later statement

Oct. 3, 11:13 a.m.

.@realDonaldTrump it's time to stand up to the @NRA & stand up for the over 30,000 Americans who are victims of #gunviolence each YEAR.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal D

Connecticut senator

Oct. 2

Nothing has changed since Newtown and Congress has been complicit.

[The lives lost in Las Vegas]

Other Democrats, including those who represent Nevada in Congress, were more reserved, omitting talk of gun laws immediately following the attack. Sen. Catherine Cortez-Masto raised gun control in an interview with CNN on Oct. 3.

Rep. Dina Titus D

Nevada congresswoman, 1st district

Oct. 2, 6:37 a.m.

My heart aches for the victims, their loved ones, and our community ... We are a resilient and benevolent town that will not be intimidated by acts of violence.

Sen. Catherine Cortez-Masto D

Nevada senator

Oct. 2, 7:16 a.m.

Praying for all those affected by this senseless tragedy. Thank you to all the first responders. I will continue to monitor the situation.

Later statement

Oct. 3, 1:25 p.m.

[Speaking about gun control on CNN:] We need to have this discussion. And now I get to be a part of that disussion.

Barack Obama D

Former president

Oct. 2, 8:41 a.m.

Michelle & I are praying for the victims in Las Vegas. Our thoughts are with their families & everyone enduring another senseless tragedy.

Sen. Heidi Heitkamp D

North Dakota senator

Oct. 2, 11:49 a.m.

Thinking of the victims in Las Vegas & their families and friends. Thank you to law enforcement 4 heroic actions during a horrible situation

Meanwhile, Republicans nearly universally stayed within the traditional talking point of offering thoughts and prayers. Some responses from notable Republicans:

Sen. Dean Heller R

Nevada senator

Oct. 2, 6:31 a.m.

Our communities are all in mourning as we try to understand this senseless massacre on the Strip.

Later statement

Oct. 3, 10:55 a.m.

Humbled by Nevadans coming out in droves to support those in need

Mike Pence R

Vice president of the United States

Oct. 2, 7:32 a.m.

To victims, families & loved ones affected by this senseless violence in Las Vegas, Karen & I are praying for you & offering our love.

Sen. John McCain R

Arizona senator

Oct. 2, 10:06 a.m.

Cindy & I are praying for the victims of the terrible #LasVegasShooting & their families. We appreciate the bravery of all first responders.

Rep. Paul D. Ryan R

House speaker and Wisconsin congressman, 1st district

Oct. 2, 10:26 a.m.

America woke up to heartbreaking news from Las Vegas. We stand united in our shock, our condolences, & our prayers.

Donald Trump R

President of the United States

Oct. 2, 10:30 a.m.

Hundreds of our fellow citizens are now mourning the sudden loss of a loved one ... We cannot fathom their pain, we cannot imagine their loss.

Later statement

Oct. 3

And we’ll be talking about gun laws as time goes on. But I do have to say, how quickly the police department was able to get in was really very much of a miracle.

Sen. Susan Collins R

Maine senator

Oct. 2, 12:57 p.m.

Horrific act of violence in Las Vegas. Worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. First responders showed extraordinary bravery.

Mitch McConnell R

Kentucky senator and Senate majority leader

Oct. 2, 3:04 p.m.

The news we awoke to this morning was heartbreaking. What happened in Las Vegas is shocking, it’s tragic, and — for those affected and their families — it’s devastating. It’s hard to even imagine their pain. I hope they will know that we are all praying for them now.

Sen. John Cornyn R

Texas senator

Oct. 2, 3:52 p.m.

That these events have become almost commonplace in modern society makes them no less shocking or morally reprehensible.

Sen. Tom Cotton R

Arkansas senator

Oct. 2, 9:47 a.m.

Deeply saddened by the tragic and senseless shooting in Las Vegas. My thoughts and prayers are with all victims and their families.

Later statement

Oct. 3

I think there's still a lot that's not know, so for the time being, I think it's a time for mourning and grieving.

Rep. Steve Scalise R

House majority whip and Louisiana congressman, 1st district

Oct. 3

Jennifer and I pray for the people that were involved in the Nevada shooting ... there is a tremendous loss of blood. Go to your local blood bank and just donate blood.

[White House: Now is not the time to talk about gun control. But ‘if you look to Chicago …’]