At 2:09am on yesterday morning, the Pulse Facebook page was updated with those words as Omar Marteen, armed with a pistol and an assault rifle, opened fired on a crowd of LGBTQ patrons at the Orlando club. Many were able to heed that call, but today we mourn the 49 who were murdered, and continue to monitor the progress of the 53 who were injured.
In the face of such tragedy, we often are unsure of how to respond. The emotions surrounding these catastrophes range from deep sadness to profound anger, and finding appropriate words in those times can be difficult. For many of us, we fall back on the tried and true, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and families of those affected by the shooting in Orlando.” We hashtag it, and we move on, because for those of us removed from the situation, what else can we do?
Often politicians will add their condolences to the mix, sharing their own thoughts and prayers. And while it is gratifying to know that the victims and their families are not forgotten in the moment, those words often ring hollow when these same politicians are in the pockets of the gun lobbies. Words certainly have the ability to bring comfort, but when the actions do not match the words, they become empty.
This list is the top 10 recipients of money from pro-gun groups in 2016. Much thanks to Igor Volsky for his diligent work on this. Be sure to check out his Twitter feed for a comprehensive list of politicians and the money they received.
1. Ben Carson (R) – $37,622
In an interview on Fox News yesterday, former presidential candidate Ben Carson said, “It’s very concerning. As I’ve been saying for many months, we have to get much more serious about the way that we look at potential terrorist activity.” However, when he was interviewed following the Paris attacks about banning the sale of weapons to people on terrorist watch lists, he said, “there are a lot of people on that watch list and they have no idea why they’re on that list and they’ve been trying to get their names off of it, and no one will give them information.”
2. Ted Cruz (R) – $36,229
Today, all of America stands in solidarity with the people of Orlando: https://t.co/cXRNXVKcrT
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) June 12, 2016
Former presidential candidate, and Senator from Texas stands with the people of Orlando today, but he has also said, “I have never and will never support banning guns.” And let’s not forget that he was happy to speak at a conference hosted by someone who moments prior to his introduction recommended killing LGBTQ people.
3. Rand Paul (R) – $29,574
Horrific and tragic news out of Orlando, Florida. Kelley and I join the rest of the nation in praying for the victims.
— Dr. Rand Paul (@RandPaul) June 12, 2016
Rand Paul has long been a supporter of gun rights. He has said, “I will not support any proposed gun control law which would limit the right to gun ownership by those who are responsible, law-abiding citizens.” Yet, he voted against the ban on gun sales to the mentally ill, terrorists, and felons.
4. John Boehner (R) – $19,250
Former Speaker of the House John Boehner has been largely quiet in the wake of the Orlando tragedy. However, following the Sandy Hook shooting in Newton, he had some thoughts and prayers for those families. Yet when there were studies to be conducted by the CDC about gun violence, his response was that guns are not a disease.
5. Richard Burr (R) – $12,000
My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this morning’s horrific attack in Orlando and their loved ones.
— Richard Burr (@SenatorBurr) June 12, 2016
Senator Burr’s thoughts and prayers are appreciated, but I’d say more appreciated would have been a vote against access to guns from people on a terrorist watch list. But that didn’t happen.
6. Kevin McCarthy (R) – $11,800
Judy and I offer our prayers to the victims and their families, as their grief is unimaginable.
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) June 13, 2016
Representative McCarthy says that he is praying for the victims, but in 2010, he also aligned himself with the hate group, Family Reseach Council. So which is it, Representative?
7. Rob Portman (R) – $11,650
This evening, Jane and I continue to pray for the victims and the families impacted by the horrific act of terror in Orlando -RP
— Rob Portman (@robportman) June 12, 2016
Senator Rob Portman did reverse his view on same-sex marriage, for which we applaud him, but he voted against background checks for firearms purchases at gun shows or over the internet, so they still sound a bit hollow in our ears.
8. Ryan Zinke (R) – $11,600
Representative Zinke did not offer condolences to the victims of the shooting in Orlando, but considering he voted against banning gun purchases for people on the no-fly list, it’s probably just as well.
9. Scott Walker (R) – $11,200
Tonette and I extend our prayers for those killed and attacked in Orlando and to their families and loved ones.
— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) June 12, 2016
The day after President Obama issued an executive order for some common sense gun control, Wisconson Governor Walker threatened a lawsuit against the federal government. Oh, but he’s praying for the victims of gun violence, so that’s okay, right?
10. Carly Fiorina (R) – $10,500
Former presidential candidate (and vice-presidential candidate) Carly Fiorina had no condolences to offer the victims of the Orlando attacks. But that’s not surprising, since last week she posted that gun rights are “being eroded,” despite the fact that a suspected terrorist was able to legally purchase the assault weapon that murdered 49 people and injured 53 more. Hard to imagine what might have happened if those rights hadn’t been “eroded” so much.
Certainly one can be a gun owner and still have sympathy for those who are victims of gun violence. And stricter gun laws will in no way eliminate all gun related deaths. But don’t be surprised when your thoughts and prayers treated as clanging gongs in the face of your actual response to mass shootings.
Perhaps those victims will offer you their thoughts and prayers as they vote for leaders who actually represent them in the future.
Alise Chaffins is a writer, speaker, musician, eater of soup, and defender of the Oxford comma. She writes about life and grief, and how embracing grief allows for a fuller life. She blogs regularly at knittingsoul.com and is the author of Embracing Grief: Leaning Into Loss to Find Life.
9 of the top 10 recipients of gun lobby money are anti-LGBT