Pray loudly and pray often for the people of Charleston. Again in America, families have been torn asunder as innocent people were slaughtered. It's been kids, movie goers, people shopping, people living their lives and now church attendees -- all killed by gun in 21st century America. It's unfathomable and almost too difficult to bear. Yet, still, the NRA and their members block the passage of gun safety legislation in this country. How much more must we endure before this Congress of elected officials do the right thing and start the legislation?
Look, all shootings are audacious, but what happened in Charleston is particularly vile. You know that years ago Dr. George Tiller was shot dead worshipping at his church on a weekend morning. Indeed, the good doctor practiced late-stage abortion, but it doesn't make it right to kill him anywhere or anytime. Nothing makes slaughter right. Nothing explains gun violence. Hate is hate -- plain and simple whenever or wherever it strikes.
As our President said yesterday:
At some point, we as a country will have to reckon with the fact that this kind of mass violence does not happen in other advanced countries. It doesn't happen in other places with this kind of frequency. It is in our power to do something about it.
It is past time that the people that we elected to office do the right thing. Call your representatives today, tomorrow and every day to let them know. Start with simple background checks, but start somewhere. Gun safety legislation must be the mandate. Do not be silent. Use your voices for change.