U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the following statement following the horrific shooting in Las Vegas that claimed at least 50 innocent lives and injured more than 400:

“I am shocked and saddened by the horrific act of gun violence in Las Vegas.  I am praying for the victims and their families and know many across the Tampa Bay area are doing the same.  Day in and day out, too many American families suffer the consequences of our country’s gun violence epidemic.  Certainly, we can come together to pass common sense safety requirements such as background checks and limits on civilian use of military-style weapons, and to enforce the laws on the books.  The sorrow that I and so many around the country feel for the innocent men and women whose lives were cruelly cut short by this heartless act of domestic terrorism is immeasurable.  We will never allow these acts of terror to control us – but after so many lives lost around our country for so long by public acts of gun violence, we must ask ourselves why this is allowed to continue.  We owe it to the victims of these horrible acts of gun violence to take steps that will ensure more innocent lives are not lost to future tragedies.”

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