[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 158 (Tuesday, October 3, 2017)]
[House]
[Page H7683]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRESS MUST RESPOND APPROPRIATELY
(Mr. HIGGINS of New York asked and was given permission to address
the House for 1 minute.)
Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. Speaker, Las Vegas, Nevada, 3 days ago--
59 people dead, 527 injured, one shooter. It was the deadliest mass
shooting in U.S. modern history.
Pulse nightclub, Orlando, Florida, 2016--49 people dead, 58 injured,
one shooter.
Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, Connecticut, 2012--20 kids
aged 6 and 7 and 6 adults, all dead, one shooter. The one shooter
killed his mother and then killed himself.
I have heard it said that the best gun control is a steady hand.
Perhaps, but a steady hand requires a healthy and sound mind. Assault
weapons are designed to kill people, and to kill lots of people
quickly. Their availability made massacres in Las Vegas, Newtown, and
Orlando possible.
In the days ahead, we will learn much more about the shooter and his
guns than about his victims--once again. My hope is that this Congress
will use this information wisely and find the courage to respond
appropriately. In this way, and only in this way, do we actually honor
the victims.
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