While thousands of country music fans gathered on the Las Vegas Strip Sunday night, mass shooter Stephen Pollock fired gunshots into the crowd in the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history.
Members of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation were among those who expressed condolences to the 58 people killed and more than 500 injured in the massacre at the Jason Aldean concert Sunday.
U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee released a statement shortly after the attack, showing his support for the victims, their families and “the brave men and women who risked their lives to save others.”
“My committee will work to support the federal role in investigating this attack and protecting against further threats. As Americans we must unite to defeat threats to our nation's security -- both foreign and domestic,” Johnson said in the release.
Although U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., did not release a formal statement, she reached out over Twitter to the friends and family of the victims of the shooting.
“The tragic gun violence in Las Vegas is horrific. My heart breaks for the victims, their friends and family,” Baldwin tweeted.
The tragic gun violence in Las Vegas is horrific. My heart breaks for the victims, their friends and family.
— Sen. Tammy Baldwin (@SenatorBaldwin) October 2, 2017
U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., whose district includes Madison, called for a specific policy approach to the tragedy. In his statement, Pocan called for the reestablishment of the assault weapons ban, the end of high-capacity magazine sales and the closing of background check loopholes.
“For too long, Congress has rolled over when confronted by the NRA and the gun lobby and it’s time to finally take a stand. Congress must act now,” Pocan said in the release.
Pocan also issued a reminder of the past tragedies in Orlando, Newtown, Charleston and San Bernardino, calling for strong congressional action against these attacks.
“These events have become far too common,” Pocan said. “We can’t stay silent when thousands of Americans die from firearms every single year.”
