In the wake of the mass shooting in San Bernardino, California today that has left at least 14 people dead and many more injured, Republican presidential hopefuls took to Twitter to offer their solution to gun violence in America: prayers.
None of the Republican candidates indicated that the deadly shooting was emblematic of a larger problem with mass shootings, let alone one that should be curbed by stricter gun laws. Instead all they could muster the strength to do was to pray for victims and first responders.
Vox points out that there have been “at least 1,042 mass shootings, with shooters killing at least 1,312 people and wounding 3,764 more” since the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. A map created by Mass Shooting Tracker details where those shootings have taken place over the past three years.
Read the Republicans' responses to this latest mass shooting, below.
California shooting looks very bad. Good luck to law enforcement and God bless. This is when our police are so appreciated!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 2, 2015
Our prayers are with the victims, their families, and the first responders in San Bernardino who willingly go into harm's way to save others
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) December 2, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with the shooting victims and their families in San Bernardino.
— Ben & Candy Carson (@RealBenCarson) December 2, 2015
Marco Rubio — No response on Twitter as of posting.
Praying for the victims, their families & the San Bernardino first responders in the wake of this tragic shooting.
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) December 2, 2015
My thoughts & prayers go out to those impacted by the shooting in San Bernardino, especially the first responders. -John
— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) December 2, 2015
Praying for all those victimized by the shootings in San Bernardino, California today.
— Chris Christie (@GovChristie) December 2, 2015
Carly Fiorina — No response on Twitter as of posting. Fiorina is from California.
Praying for those impacted by the shooting in California today.
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) December 2, 2015
Praying for the victims and first responders in #SanBernardino for a quick resolution.
— George E. Pataki (@GovernorPataki) December 2, 2015
Thoughts & prayers are with #SanBernardino
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) December 2, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, families, and brave first responders during this unspeakable tragedy.
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) December 2, 2015
Rick Santorum — No response on Twitter as of posting.
Meanwhile, the three remaining Democratic presidential candidates took a different tone on Twitter.
I refuse to accept this as normal. We must take action to stop gun violence now. -H https://t.co/SkKglwQycb
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) December 2, 2015
Mass shootings are becoming an almost-everyday occurrence in this country. This sickening and senseless gun violence must stop.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) December 2, 2015
Horrifying news out of #SanBernardino. Enough is enough: it's time to stand up to the @NRA and enact meaningful gun safety laws
— Martin O'Malley (@MartinOMalley) December 2, 2015
UPDATE:
Rick Santorum weighed in. As of 9:21 AM PST on December 3, Carly Fiorina and Marco Rubio had yet to address the shooting on Twitter.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their loved ones and all those impacted by today's tragedy in California #SanBernadino
— Rick Santorum (@RickSantorum) December 3, 2015
