Oregon Dem hopes school shooting ‘will inspire action’ on gun control

An Oregon lawmaker said he hoped a school shooting that took place Tuesday morning in a town he represents would spur action in Congress on gun control.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D), who represents Oregon’s 3rd District, made a call for universal background checks on gun buyers after reports that a gunman killed at least one student at Reynolds High School in the city of Troutdale. The shooter is also dead.

Another shooting. I always hope tragedy will inspire action. Simple common sense steps make difference. Start w/universal background checks

— Earl Blumenauer (@repblumenauer) June 10, 2014

{mosads}He was joined by a number of other lawmakers.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) also took to Twitter to say that school shootings will continue until Congress passes legislation. He and Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal represent the state where a gunman killed 26 people, including 20 children, at an elementary school in the city of Newtown in 2012. 

President Obama and congressional Democrats pushed for a package of tougher gun laws last year after the Newtown shooting, including a provision requiring universal background checks. But that effort fizzled out after a compromised package failed to pass the Senate.

I just don’t get it. When will Congress understand that school shootings won’t stop until we DO SOMETHING???

— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) June 10, 2014

Saddened to hear of a school shooting in OR—the 74th in 18mo. When will enough be enough to win common sense measures against gun violence?

— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) June 10, 2014

The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence said it was meeting with Oregon Rep. Kurt Schrader (D) later Tuesday.

Meeting with @RepSchrader in half an hour. After today’s shooting in his home state tell him you want him to support background checks NOW!

— Brady Campaign (@bradybuzz) June 10, 2014

Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley (D), as well as a number of other lawmakers passed along their prayers after the shooting.

Terrible news. Thoughts and prayers are with students, teachers and parents at Reynolds High. Thanks to our first responders.

— Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) June 10, 2014

Thoughts and prayers are with the victims and families affected by the shooting at Reynolds High School. Please stay safe.

— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) June 10, 2014

My thoughts and prayers are with those injured in the Reynolds High School shooting in Troutdale, Oregon.

— Sheila Jackson Lee (@JacksonLeeTX18) June 10, 2014