Another mass shooting in America and another round of “hopes and prayers” for the victims by elected officials who can actually do something about it.
From Rep. Mimi Walters Facebook page, this:
Horrified and deeply saddened by the deadly shooting in Las Vegas. My heart and prayers are with the victims, their loved ones, and all affected.
In the face of horrific tragedy, Americans everywhere stand united with the victims and first responders in Las Vegas.
And Darrell Issa, this:
Horrific news out of Las Vegas this morning. Please join me in praying for the victims, their families, and all those affected by this senseless act of violence. A big thank you goes to the men and women of LVMPD and other first responders including off-duty San Diego police, Orange County Sheriff’s deputies who were on scene, and others who worked courageously to save lives in the face of danger. To the people of Las Vegas, please know that we are with you. If you cannot locate your loved ones, please call 1-866-535-5654.
There’s nothing on Dana Rohrabacher’s social media feed because there’s nothing in his head.
The one thing all of OC’s Republican representatives in Congress share in common, as we examine what happened in Las Vegas Sunday? They all voted to overturn an Obama administration law preventing the mentally ill from possessing firearms back in February.
House Vote 77 – Repeals Rule Restricting Gun Sales to Severely Mentally Ill
Description: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007
Result: Passed by a margin of 27 votes (simple majority required to pass)
Mimi Walters voted for it. Darrell Issa voted for it. Ed Royce voted for it. Dana Rohrabacher voted for it — and by doing so allowed him to be able to purchase a gun (it’s a joke of course).
So when these OC Congressional reps ask for prayers for the victims of mass shootings, be sure to ask them about their votes in February and if they will continue to accept contributions from the NRA and the gun lobby. The rationale for passing this in February is surreal.
From USA Today:
The House voted 235-180 largely along party lines Thursday to repeal an Obama-era rule requiring the Social Security Administration to send records of some beneficiaries to the federal firearms background check system after they’ve been deemed mentally incapable of managing their financial affairs.
The rule, when implemented, would affect about 75,000 recipients of disability insurance and supplemental insurance income who require a representative to manage their benefits because of a disabling mental disorder, ranging from anxiety to schizophrenia. It applies to those between age 18 and full retirement age.
Republicans argued the rule, which was vigorously opposed by gun-rights and disability groups, would unfairly stigmatize people with disabilities and strip them of their Second Amendment rights without due process.
“This is a slap in the face for those in the disabled community because it paints all those who suffer from mental disorders with the same broad brush,” said House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va. “It assumes that simply because an individual suffers from a mental condition, that individual is unfit to exercise his or her Second Amendment rights.”
Democrats agreed the government must not stigmatize those with disabilities but said this rule affects a small group with severe, long-term mental disorders preventing them from doing any work. Passage of the resolution puts others at risk, they said.
The rule would unfairly stigmatize people with disabilities and strip them of their Second Amendment rights without due process.
“This is a slap in the face for those in the disabled community because it paints all those who suffer from mental disorders with the same broad brush,” said House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va. “It assumes that simply because an individual suffers from a mental condition, that individual is unfit to exercise his or her Second Amendment rights.”