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Bernie Sanders Calls For More Gun Control In Wake Of Orlando Terror Attack

Published on: June 12, 2016 at 5:18 PM
By Patricia Ramirez

Bernie Sanders has called for more gun control in the wake of the Orlando terror attack that killed more than 50 people and injured 50 more. The attacks took place in the overnight hours of Saturday, June 11, and Sunday, June 12, and at this point it has been reported that the suspect of the shooting (who also died in the terrorist attack) had ties to ISIS.

Bernie Sanders responded to the Orlando terror attack, which took place at a known gay nightclub, by turning to social media to share both his condolences to those impacted and his thoughts about how to respond to the unthinkable attacks, reports The Wall Street Journal. When he took to social media, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders had plenty to say about the unprovoked mass casualty incident.

Bernie Sanders had repeatedly sworn to fight for the Democratic presidential nomination all the way to the Democratic National Convention, doubling down on his promise to do so as recently as the Saturday prior to the primary season’s last “super Tuesday.” Unfortunately for Sanders, by the time the Tuesday primaries came to a close, Hillary Clinton had earned enough delegates to become the Democratic party’s presumptive presidential nominee, making history in the process.

Following her historic win, President Obama both endorsed Hillary and met with Bernie Sanders at the White House to discuss the presidential primary outcome. It was then that Bernie Sanders promised to support Hillary in an attempt to ensure a Democratic presidential victory in November.

Now, in the wake of his presumed primary defeat and his vow to work with Hillary Clinton (the presumed Democratic nominee) in the future, Bernie Sanders’ call for increased gun control following the Orlando terror attacks could have some serious implications for the future of America.

Bernie Sanders has long been “to the right” of Hillary Clinton when it comes to gun control. Sanders has repeatedly and publicly voted against gun control legislation. In 1993, Bernie Sanders voted against the Brady Bill, which resulted in mandatory background checks for commercial gun sales. In 2005, Bernie Sanders voted for legislation that prevents victims of gun violence from suing gun manufacturers for compensation.

In recent years, though, Bernie Sanders has been slightly more “to the left” with his gun control-related votes as Senator of Vermont. In 2013, Bernie Sanders voted for legislation to expand background checks that would have also banned assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

Bernie Sanders’ new stance on gun control in the wake of the Orlando, Florida shooting are particularly poignant in the face of a report from The Hill that indicates that the shooter in the terror attack legally purchased his guns. If Bernie Sanders gets his way, it could make it more difficult for those planning future terror attacks from doing the same.

Police have declined to release the name of the shop where the Florida terror attack suspect obtained his guns (they say he got at least two firearms in the past “week or so”) due to the ongoing investigation.

Bernie Sanders recently told a major media outlet that he was in favor of expanding gun control laws. Bernie would do this by expanding background checks and making “other changes” to make it harder for criminals to get their hands on guns.

“I think there is a wide consensus to move forward in that direction.”

While Bernie Sanders has spent the last year fighting publicly with Hillary Clinton to claim the Democratic presidential nomination, the pair now seem to be united when it comes to how to reduce this particular type of tragedy, of which the U.S. has seen far too many in recent years. In the most publicized mass casualty incidents in recent years in the United States, suspects have had a wide variety of motives, political views and religious affiliations. The common denominator in virtually every one of these attacks? Easy access to firearms.

On Sunday afternoon, about the same time that Bernie Sanders was commenting on gun control, Hillary released a statement of her own.

“[It’s time] to redouble our efforts to defend our country from threats at home and abroad. [The Orlando shooting] reminds us once more that weapons of war have no place on our streets.”

Reportedly, the shooter in the Orlando terror attack was armed with at least one assault rifle when he shot and killed at least 50 people and wounded 50 more.

Donald Trump, political rival of both Clinton and Bernie Sanders approached the tragedy with a different tactic. Instead of blaming guns, Trump blamed Islam.

“Appreciate the congrats for being right on radical Islamic terrorism, I don’t want congrats, I want toughness & vigilance. We must be smart!”

In his Sunday morning tweet barrage, Donald Trump chose not to address the recent U.S. mass shootings that have had nothing at all to do with Islam, including the Aurora, Colorado movie theater shooting, the South Carolina church shooting, the Colorado Planned Parenthood shooting and the Sandy Hook shooting.

As new details of the Orlando terrorist attack continue to emerge, it’s almost a certainty that the political debate about gun control will continue to rage.

What do you think? Does Bernie Sanders have it right when he calls for further gun control in the wake of the Florida terror attack? Is Bernie incorrect? Do you think that Bernie Sanders and Hillary can work together toward sensible gun control?

[Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images]

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