Durbin Statement on Mass Shooting in San Bernardino
Durbin: victims deserve more than out thoughts and prayers—they deserve action
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate floor this evening about the horrific mass shooting today in San Bernardino, California:
Earlier today, there was a mass shooting in San Bernardino, California. News reports are saying that up to three heavily armed gunmen attacked a social services center that helps developmentally disabled people and their families in the community. Preliminary reports say that there have been 14 people killed, and 14 wounded, although we don’t know the exact number yet. There are videos of wounded people actually lying in the streets. The suspects apparently fled the scene in a black SUV. A manhunt is underway.
This story is horrific, but it is also horribly familiar. There have been over 350 mass shootings in America this year. On average, 297 Americans are shot every single day—89 fatally. And listen to this grim and sad statistic: there have been over 50 school shootings this year in America. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and first responders in San Bernardino, but they and all the victims across our country deserve more than our thoughts and prayers. They deserve action. It is time for Congress, in a level-headed, common sense moment, to vote on passage of legislation to protect innocent people across America from this horrific gun violence.
Video of Durbin’s remarks is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s remarks is available here.
Footage of Durbin remarks is available for TV Stations using FTP in high definition here and in standard definition here.