Gun control advocates optimistic six months after Pulse nightclub massacre even under Trump
Gun control advocates optimistic six months after Pulse nightclub massacre even under Trump:- As mourners marked the six-month anniversary of the Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando, the leader of a top gun reform group said Monday the election of Donald Trump did not spell doom for the movement.
John Feinblatt, the president of Everytown for Gun Safety, noted that voters in three states approved ballot initiatives strengthening gun control. The initiatives in Nevada, Washington and California — which were strongly opposed by the NRA — prevailed on the same day that Americans elected Trump, who has vowed to pass gun-friendly laws at the federal level.
“State by state is the way we’re going to win it,” Feinblatt said.
NRA boss Wayne LaPierre called Trump’s victory “our historic moment to go on offense.”
A week before the June 12 attack, shooter Omar Mateen legally bought a Sig Sauer MCX .223 caliber rifle from St. Lucie Guns Sale. He used the deadly assault rifle to gun down 49 revelers celebrating the end of Latin night at the packed Pulse nightclub.
“Time really does fly,” said Pulse survivor Orlando Torres on Monday.
Torres, one of several terrified patrons who cowered in a bathroom stall during Mateen’s attack, was among dozens of relatives, friends and survivors who honored their slain loved ones outside Pulse early Monday.
The crowd lit candles at 2:02 a.m., to mark the harrowing moment the first round of bullets ripped through the club during Mateen’s hours-long rampage.
“It was very somber and very touching,” Torres said.
The nightclub, which first warned of the attack on Twitter, tweeted that the morning memorial was “very emotional.”
“To the beautiful 49 we will never forget and continue to keep your pulse,” the Pulse account read.
Source:- http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/gun-control-advocates-optimistic-months-pulse-massacre-article-1.2908420
