Top Democrats have condemned the shooting incident that took place during a California food festival, reigniting the perennial debate about gun control in the U.S.
Among the four victims was a six-year-old boy who was killed in Sunday’s shooting at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, near San Jose, in a rampage that left at least 15 people injured, Newsweek reported.
Police took the gunman down, who they say probably entered the festival through a fence and is likely to have had an accomplice.
On social media, the attack prompted hashtags of “Gun Control Now,” as people called for stronger laws.
Gun control has also been a key issue for Democrats and presidential candidates from the party have already laid out their stalls on how to tackle the issue.
“This violence is not normal. How many more families will have to lose a loved one before we fix our broken gun laws? We must take action, starting with real reform. Our thoughts are with everyone in Gilroy this evening. Enough is enough,” Joe Biden said.
“Sending love to all who are hurting tonight—and all who are affected by the 40,000 gun deaths in America each year. We can accept this as our fate or we can change it. Following the lead of the students marching for their lives, and for all of ours, I know we can end this crisis,” Beto O’Rourke tweeted.
Within California itself, representative from the state’s 17th congressional district, Ro Khanna, expressed horror that a child was among the victims.
He wrote: “Any parent will feel numb and sick reading this: 6-year-old boy killed in Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting. How are we letting this happen to our children in America?”
The New Jersey senator Cory Booker has unveiled a wide-ranging gun control proposal this week and showcased his call for federal licensing of firearms.
He tweeted that the “gun violence epidemic in this country is out of control.” One Twitter user responded that it was the “43rd mass shooting this month,” pointing out that “New Zealand had one mass shooting and took action.”
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