John Cornyn: “today we mourn the loss of at least 50 lives in Las Vegas, the victims of senseless violence at an outdoor concert near…”

“today we mourn the loss of at least 50 lives in Las Vegas, the victims of senseless violence at an outdoor concert near the Mandalay Resort and Casino. The lives of fellow Americans were taken in a barbaric manner that defies all justification, excuse, or even explanation. That these events have become almost commonplace in modern society makes them no less shocking or morally reprehensible. The date and location--a country music festival on a Sunday afternoon--make the act seem doubly cruel. Thousands of innocent spectators were there from around the country enjoying themselves, with security being the furthest thing from their minds, until the shots rang out. As news reports have now indicated, the event is one of the deadliest mass shootings in modern U.S. history. It and other forms of violence continue to tear apart the fabric of our country, and the scars left among the victims' families and loved ones will be painful and permanent. My prayers go out to all those in Nevada who have not slept since yesterday and who are still grappling with the aftermath of the shooting, the families tending to loved ones in hospitals, as well as the first responders and law enforcement officers who ran toward, not away from, the gunfire and who are now nursing various wounds. Here in Washington, we will continue to monitor the situation. We will continue to keep the fallen in our prayers in the days ahead.”