WASHINGTON – All the facts about the massacre at a Texas church on Sunday, which shocked the nation with 26 dead and another 20 injured, have yet to unfold.
Nonetheless, it's already being politicized.
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"When will this end? When will we decide that we can't accept massacres in our places of worship, schools, or at concerts? When will we actually do something about it?" Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., wrote in a statement.
I’m horrified by the news of this latest mass shooting. My thoughts are with all of those in Sutherland Springs. https://t.co/gCTIsAXQX6
— Sen Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) November 5, 2017
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"I'm thinking of and praying for all those impacted by the shooting in Texas. In addition to offering my prayers and thoughts I also believe Congress must take action on gun violence," Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey wrote.
I’m thinking of and praying for all those impacted by the shooting in Texas (1/2)
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) November 5, 2017
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In addition to offering my prayers and thoughts I also believe Congress must take action on gun violence (2/2)
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) November 5, 2017
President Donald Trump expressed condolences for the victims during a news conference in Japan, and he said the shooting was caused by a "mental health problem" and that more gun laws would not have prevented such an attack.
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Asked whether gun control is "the answer" after Texas shooting, Pres. Trump says, "This is a mental health problem at the highest level." pic.twitter.com/6KBIkWvTni
— ABC News (@ABC) November 6, 2017
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In lockstep with Democratic lawmakers, celebrities are "calling for unity" after the devastation by railing against conservatives on social media, and demanding gun control.
Some even disparaged the victims of the massacre, arguing prayer is futile because they were in church praying when they were killed.
"Prayers for #SanAntonio and all the families who are suffering the loss of loved ones," pop start Lady Gaga tweeted. "I'll pray also for #GunControl."
"How many more have to die before we enact sane gun control laws?" tweeted filmmaker Stephen Moore.
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How many more have to die before we enact sane gun control laws?
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) November 5, 2017
"Innocent people go to church on Sunday to honor their God, and while doing so, get shot [and] killed. What country? America. Why? Republicans," Chelsea Handler wrote.
Innocent people go to church on Sunday to honor their God, and while doing so, get shot in killed. What country? America. Why? Republicans.
— Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) November 5, 2017
"Mass carnage in Sutherland Springs. We can do better than this. The idea of zero new gun safety laws isn't just idiotic it's murderous," tweeted screenwriter, director, comedian, and actor Adam Mckay.
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Mass carnage in Sutherland Springs.
We can do better than this.
The idea of zero new gun safety laws isn’t just idiotic it’s murderous.— Adam McKay (@GhostPanther) November 5, 2017
"CONGRESS-the Horror of #SutherlandSprings is on YOU. BAN #gunstocks NOW. Las Vegas was basically Yesterday! Shameful, complicit, no excuses," tweeted Debra Messing.
CONGRESS- the Horror of #SutherlandSprings is on YOU. BAN #gunstocks NOW. Las Vegas was basically Yesterday! Shameful, complicit,no excuses.
— Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) November 5, 2017
Other liberal celebrities denounced the National Rifle Association and the gun lobby.
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"The @NRA is soaked and bathed in blood. How do its adherents sleep at night," scorned MSNBC host Joy Ann Reid.
The @NRA is soaked and bathed in blood. How do its adherents sleep at night?
— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) November 5, 2017
"The @NRA is a terrorist group who control congress with $$$. Nothing will change until that stops," actor Lenny Jacobson tweeted.
The @NRA is a terrorist group who control congress with $$$. Nothing will change until that stops.
#Orlando #Vegas & #SutherlandSprings https://t.co/7rAbJTyEKK
— Lenny Jacobson (@Lennyjacobson) November 5, 2017
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"Veep" actor Timothy Simons claimed the NRA aids and abets terrorists.
House Speaker Paul Ryan called for prayers for the people of Sutherland on Twitter.
"Reports out of Texas are devastating. The people of Sutherland Springs need our prayers right now," Ryan wrote.
Some celebrities audaciously denigrated the victims of the massacres, mocking them for being churchgoers.
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"They were in church. They had the prayers shot right out of them. Maybe try something else," actor Michael McKearn quipped.
They were in church. They had the prayers shot right out of them. Maybe try something else.
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) November 5, 2017
"If prayers did anything, they'd still be alive," former "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and "Stand By Me" actor Wil Wheaton said in a tweet, blasting Paul Ryan for calling on Americans to pray. His tirade included language so objectionable it cannot be reproduced here.
What do YOU think? Sound off on claim that prayer is a waste of time
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Wheaton received massive backlash after berating the victims of the shooting, prompting the actor to apologize to people of faith who were offended.
"I'm not talking about religion or faith at all. I am talking about the speaker of the house who does nothing to address gun violence," he claimed. "Hey, real and actual people of faith: I hear you. I apologize for insulting you, in my rage at Paul Ryan's refusal to address gun violence. Your faith is your business and people like Paul Ryan exploit it while they hide behind words without deeds, and people continue to die."
I'm not talking about religion or faith at all. I am talking about the speaker of the house who does nothing to address gun violence. https://t.co/PjfjR2G1Ut
— Wil Wheaton (@wilw) November 5, 2017
Conservatives, meanwhile, are outraged by repeated attempts by the left to infringe upon Second Amendment rights.
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"I am not surrendering my firearm and my ability to defend my wife and kids," former U.S. Secret Service agent and NYPD officer Dan Bongino told Fox News Monday. "The only thing that is going to stop these maniacs, is a good guy with a gun."
.@dbongino: "I am not surrendering my firearm and my ability to defend my wife and kids." pic.twitter.com/WzTTK3yLRX
— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 6, 2017
Key to the case is that a neighbor to the church heard the attack going on, grabbed his own weapon and shot the attacker when he came out of the church.
Remarkably, he was able to hit the attacker in a gap in his armor.
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.@dbongino: "The only thing that is going to stop these maniacs, is a good guy with a gun." pic.twitter.com/ja137qBJjn
— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 6, 2017
One Twitter user blasted the media for holding Muslims to a different standard than Christians.
"It's interesting how the media doesn't call the #TexasChurchMassacre a hate crime against Christians, but if the guy had shot up a mosque ..."
It’s interesting how the media doesn’t call the #TexasChurchMassacre a hate crime against Christians, but if the guy had shot up a mosque...
— No Elizaeth (@NotElizabethNJ) November 6, 2017
The church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, turned into a bloodbath Sunday when Devin Patrick Kelley, 26, dressed in full combat gear, walked in and opened fire during services.
Patrick killed at least eight members of the same family among the 26 people he shot dead.
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