Republican Congressman Steve Scalise says that being shot at a baseball practice this past summer has only strengthened his belief in the Second Amendment and his opposition to gun control, it was reported on Tuesday.
Scalise told Fox News that the shooting, which nearly killed him, and Sunday’s horrific massacre in Las Vegas which killed over 50 people and wounded hundreds more did not sway his pro-gun views.
‘I think it’s fortified it,’ the House Majority whip told Fox News.
Scalise said that it’s premature to talk about legislation so soon after a tragedy on the scope of what took place in Las Vegas.
‘Because first of all you’ve got to recognize that when there’s a tragedy like this, the first thing we should be thinking about is praying for the people who were injured and doing whatever we can to help them, to help law enforcement,’ Scalise said.
Republican Congressman Steve Scalise says that being shot at a baseball practice this past summer has only strengthened his belief in the Second Amendment and his opposition to gun control, it was reported on Tuesday
Police officers stand at the scene of a shooting near the Mandalay Bay resort and casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Scalise said that proposed laws to curb gun sales would not have prevented the worst shooting in US history on Sunday night
‘We shouldn’t first be thinking of promoting our political agenda.’
Scalise said that any attempts at gun control would not have prevented what took place in Las Vegas.
‘Well, first of all, look at some of those bills,’ he said.
‘Those bills wouldn’t have done anything to stop this. I mean the gunmen actually cleared background checks.
‘So to promote some kind of gun control, I think, is the wrong way to approach this.
Scalise told Fox News that the shooting, which nearly killed him, and Sunday’s horrific massacre in Las Vegas which killed over 50 people and wounded hundreds more did not sway his pro-gun views. He is seen above on Capitol Hill on Tuesday
Scalise was in critical condition in hospital after he was shot by a Trump-hating gunman who opened fire on a Republican congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia on June 14
‘And frankly, what I experienced was when there was a shooter, we had – luckily, we had Capitol Police with their own guns.
‘Every single day in America, regular citizens that just have a passionate belief in the Second Amendment, that have their own guns, use guns every single day to protect themselves against criminals.
‘And those stories never get told or hardly ever get told, but that’s a different side of the story that I think is important. And people use guns way more to defend themselves from criminals.’
Sunday’s massacre in Las Vegas spurred a ritual-like response from politicians following the mass shootings that have left a trail of victims across the country: Democrats renewed demands for tougher gun laws while Republicans offered up prayers but showed no signs of supporting such legislation.
One day after the deadliest mass shooting in US history, which left at least 59 people dead and over 500 injured, House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan, a Republican, said in a statement on Monday: ‘The whole country stands united in our shock, in our condolences and in our prayers.’
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, also a Republican, led his chamber in a moment of silence following the ‘devastating’ massacre and urged ‘national mourning’ and prayer.
Democrats were not falling in line.
‘Thoughts & prayers are NOT enough. Not when more moms & dads will bury kids this week, & more sons & daughters will grow up without parents,’ Senator Elizabeth Warren said in a morning tweet.
Senator Chris Murphy, whose home state of Connecticut was the scene of a mass shooting in 2012 that killed 20 6-year-olds and six adults, was blunter.
‘It’s time for Congress to get off its ass and do something,’ Murphy said in a statement.
FULL HOUSE: The Louisiana Republican returned to Capitol Hill Thursday, heralded by fellow lawmakers on both sides of the aisle
Scalise blows a kiss as he speaks on the House floor Thursday, singing praises to his wife, the US Capitol Police and his colleagues for wishing him well
Murphy said he would introduce a new background check bill and House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi also urged passage of legislation toughening checks on gun sales.
The Connecticut tragedy sparked serious negotiations in Congress on tighter gun laws, including tougher background checks for gun buyers.
But the effort failed in 2013 amid strong opposition from gun groups such as the National Rifle Association.
Scalise was in critical condition in hospital after he was shot by a Trump-hating gunman who opened fire on a Republican congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia on June 14.
Incredibly, the shooter Hodgekinson was the only one killed in the incident, although Scalise was severely wounded and required some 20 units of blood – about twice the amount typically in the human body – as doctors desperately tried to stop his bleeding.
Doctors say he will likely be able to walk again, and maybe even run, but will be left with hundreds of fragments of the bullet in his body for life.
On Thursday, Scalise made his return to Capitol Hill to great fanfare, receiving a roaring ovation as he made his way across the House Floor with the assistance of forearm crutches.