Statement by U.S. Conference of Mayors on Orlando Shooting

Washington, DC-Below is a statement by U.S. Conference of Mayors President Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther on the overnight shooting at an Orlando Halloween Celebration.

"Once again, we wake up to a mass shooting, this one at a large Halloween celebration in downtown Orlando, that has left at least two people dead and six injured. America's mayors stand with Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and know that this must be an especially difficult time for him and the Orlando community because it is certain to reawaken memories of the Pulse Nightclub shooting that occurred there eight years ago. We send our condolences to the victims, their families, and the entire Orlando community.

"People should be able to celebrate Halloween safely. To assure this Orlando had 100 police officers at the large gathering and they quickly spotted the shooter and took him into custody, but still lives were lost, and others were harmed. We know that even a strong police presence cannot always meet the challenge posed by the proliferation of guns throughout the country and the enactment of open carry laws by many states. While we are seeing a reduction in homicides and other violent crimes in cities across the country, mass shootings continue, due in part to the easy access to guns in America.

"Mayors are doing everything they can to prevent and reduce gun violence in their cities, but we cannot do it alone. There have been more than 400 mass shootings this year. The evidence is clear; we know what we need to do. Congress must put partisan differences aside and act during the lame duck session to pass and send to the President common sense gun safety legislation that includes universal background checks and a ban on assault weapons, large capacity magazines and bump stocks. It's time to do what's right for our people and our nation."