Here's How 2020 Democrats Reacted To The Virginia Beach Shooting

Following the tragic shooting in Virginia Beach, Virginia Friday evening, 2020 Democratic presidential candidates took to Twitter to share their condolences with the victims and their families. Some even called for stricter gun control laws.

Heartbroken for the victims and their families of the Virginia Beach shooting and grateful for the first responders on the scene. This senseless act of violence should not be normal. Too many communities have been shattered by gun violence — we cannot continue to stand idly by. https://t.co/JC4L7glGtE

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) May 31, 2019

I’m heartsick and praying for the victims and their loved ones. Eleven people should not have been murdered today. How many lives will it take before Congress acts to end this crisis? https://t.co/SU3oBQRol1

— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) May 31, 2019

Jane and I are grieving for the victims in Virginia Beach and their families.

The days of the NRA controlling Congress and writing our gun laws must end. Congress must listen to the American people and pass gun safety legislation. This sickening gun violence must stop. https://t.co/iSAtYWg7HH

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) May 31, 2019

11 innocent lives cut down. 11 more futures denied. When will we finally say enough is enough? It’s long past time to hold our leaders accountable. Jill and I are heartbroken that more American families are suffering tonight in Virginia Beach.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) June 1, 2019

My thoughts are with the Virginia Beach wounded & the families of those who lost loved ones today. We can’t become numb to these tragedies. We must pass gun safety legislation. The vast majority of Americans agree. We just need to get people in Washington who will represent them.

— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) June 1, 2019

11 people dead. My heart breaks for those killed in another senseless act of gun violence & the loved ones of the victims whose lives are now shattered. We have the power to stop this—we can & will pass commonsense gun safety laws to end these tragedies. https://t.co/twaqJ99l95

— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) May 31, 2019

As I was with a film crew recording a video on mass shootings we were told another community has suffered a mass shooting. #Virginia, we mourn with you. This can never be normal. It is never too early for us to also say #EnoughIsEnough.

— Eric Swalwell (@ericswalwell) May 31, 2019

We’re heartbroken.
We’re angered.
We’re out of patience.

It’s within our power to stop these mass murders. Gun control now. https://t.co/lOaK4Bju9Q

— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) June 1, 2019

I'm heartbroken and furious for the Virginia Beach community, particularly the loved ones of the 11 people murdered today.

We can’t keep doing this. https://t.co/S68meHLEWy

— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) June 1, 2019

Thinking of the Virginia Beach community, the families forever changed, the lives cut short by gun violence and the inaction in this country to prevent it. I want to work with you to meet this crisis with the urgency it demands and finally end this epidemic.

— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) June 1, 2019

Another horrific shooting shocks the nation, this time in Virginia Beach. We grieve with those impacted even as we await more information. Already, this much is clear: it is unacceptable for America to remain the only developed country where this is routine. We must act.

— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) May 31, 2019

We heard devastating news out of Virginia Beach today and Trudi and I mourn with the victims’ families. Thoughts and prayers are never enough. State and national leaders must step up to enact reforms that will prevent lives from being lost.

— Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) May 31, 2019

The news out of Virginia Beach is simply devastating. Public servants who just showed up to do their job are not coming home tonight because of gun violence. This story has played out too many times in too many towns. We need to stand up and stop this. #EnoughIsEnough

— John Hickenlooper (@Hickenlooper) May 31, 2019

It's important to remember that a few of these candidates have been long-time supporters of gun control. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) said he'd nuke any gun owner who refused to hand over their firearms. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) said she would take executive action on gun control if she won the presidency and Congress "failed to act." And Mayor Bill de Blasio has made gun ownership nearly impossible in New York City.