New York and Connecticut elected officials are responding to the two mass shootings over the weekend in El Paso and Dayton.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont calls the shootings an epidemic of “domestic terrorism.” He says Washington cannot cave in to the NRA, and that thoughts and prayers are “not enough” to stop the violence.
U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy both called for Congress to take action to strengthen gun control laws.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says that the country is “under attack from within” and told New Yorkers that he’s sorry they live in a country “where this is allowed to happen.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for a special session in Congress to deal with the problem. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand tweeted that “white nationalist terrorism is a national emergency.”
Meanwhile, local police have increased patrols at high visibility sites, but say there is no specific or credible threat following the shootings.
On Long Island, Suffolk County Police Chief Stuart Cameron says they have beefed up patrols at box stores and shopping malls and that they have sent more cops to popular night spots such as Patchogue Village and Port Jefferson.
Nassau County police will increase patrols “for the foreseeable future,” and Connecticut State Police have posted tips on how to react in an active shooter situation.
