Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal said that a killer’s rampage in California Friday night is further proof the country needs stricter gun control laws.
“We need more resources to make the country healthier and to make sure that these kinds of horrific, insane, mad occurrences are stopped. And the Congress will be complicit if we fail to act,” the Connecticut senator said on “Face the Nation” Sunday.
Elliot Rodger, the 22-year-old son of a director who worked on the “The Hunger Games,” went on a violent killing spree in Isla Vista, a community near the University of California at Santa Barbara, on Friday night, police said.
He reportedly stabbed three people to death at his apartment before shooting to death three more. Investigators found three semi-automatic 9 mm handguns in his black BMW. All were purchased legally, CBS News reported.
Mr. Blumenthal said the shootings reminded him of the 2012 shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. He had actively worked to pass more gun control legislation but failed to garner enough support to pass even the Democrat-controlled Senate, CBS News reported.
“I really, sincerely hope that this tragedy, this unimaginable, unspeakable tragedy will provide an impetus to bring back measures that will keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people who are severely troubled or deranged like this young man was, and provide resources,” Blumenthal said Sunday. “We need mental health resources and that initiative, I hope, will provide a common ground, a point of consensus that will bring us together in the Congress and enable the majority.”
SEE ALSO: Dad of Santa Barbara shooting victim blames ‘craven’ politicians, NRA
Asked whether legislation would have stopped Mr. Rodger from legally purchasing the guns, Mr. Blumenthal argued it would have at least given police more resources to diagnose and detect mental illness.
“Obviously, not every kind of gun violence is going to be prevented by law, it’s out of Washington, but at least we can make a start,” he said, according to CBS News.
The comments come after the father of one of the victims blamed his son’s tragic death on “craven” politicians and the NRA.
Chris Martinez, 20, was fatally shot by Mr. Rodger at a deli Friday night.
Mr. Martinez’s father, Richard, told reporters on Saturday: “Why did Chris die? Chris died because of craven, irresponsible politicians and the NRA. They talk about gun rights. What about Chris’ right to live? When will this insanity stop? When will enough people say stop this madness.”
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.