The California state Legislature on Monday commemorated the victims of the mass shooting in Orlando.
During a subdued half hour, senators decried the killer, praised first responders, and called for tolerance and acceptance. Senate leader Kevin de Léon and Ricardo Lara, the state’s first openly gay Latino senator, helped read the names of the victims into the Senate’s official record.
Senators made only passing reference to gun control, which has become a common subject of debate immediately after mass shootings. That conversation will likely ramp up Tuesday.
“Too many of our fellow Americans have been gunned down, and we need to be resolved to end this,” said Senator Richard Pan, a Sacramento Democrat. “Prayers are not enough. We need to act.”
At a press conference in San Francisco, several Bay Area Assembly members called for tighter gun laws.
The Senate and Assembly have
both passed new limits on ammunitions sales and semiautomatic rifles, and this week each house is scheduled to begin taking up the other’s bills—among them, a measure banning magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, which the Florida shooter reportedly used.
The governor’s office declined to comment on pending legislation.
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