The on-air shooting of two journalists in Virginia on Wednesday has rekindled the debate on how to balance gun rights with adequate screening to prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands.
The shooter, Vester Lee Flanagan, professionally known as Bryce Williams, allegedly faxed a manifesto to ABC News, in which he mentions acquiring the gun that he used for the attack.
“I put down a deposit for a gun on 6/19/15. The Church shooting in Charleston happened on 6/17/15,” Flanagan allegedly wrote, indicating that he had acquired the gun legally.
The shooting of two television journalists in Virginia is another example of gun violence that is “becoming all too common,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters Wednesday. He added that Congress could pass legislation that would have a “tangible impact of reducing gun violence in this country.”
Earnest said that he had not yet had a chance to speak with President Barack Obama about the shooting, which occurred Wednesday morning.
“There are some common sense things that only Congress can do that we know would have a tangible impact on reducing gun violence in this country,” he said. “Congress could take those steps in a way that would not infringe on the constitutional rights of law abiding Americans.”
Many others sounded off on Twitter, using the opportunity to call for more gun control, with many blaming the National Rifle Association, a gun rights advocacy organization.