Cicilline Responds to Orlando Mass-Killing with "Outrage LGBT Americans Continue to be Targets"

RHODE ISLAND—Rhode Island Congressman David Cicilline responded to the horrific mass-killing of 50 people at a nightclub in Orlando early Sunday with outrage and anger over another instance of LGBT Amercians being targeted and a lone-wolf terrorist able to buy a gun more easily than cold medicine.

"Like all Rhode Islanders, I am keeping the people of Orlando, the victims, their families and loved ones in my thoughts and prayers today," Cicilline said. “It’s outrageous that LGBT Americans continue to be the targets of such horrific hatred and violence in 2016. Don’t let anyone tell you that we have full equality in this country. LGBT people are not political wedge issues – we are human beings and we are entitled to full equality under the law. I hope that, in the aftermath of this horrific shooting, our country will move towards greater love and acceptance of all Americans.”

Cicilline said it is infuriating to read reports that the shooter, identified by police as Omar Mir Seddique, used an AR-15 style assault weapon to kill 50 and wound 53.

THE LATEST UPDATES: Orlando Nightclub Death Toll at 50; Act of Terror, Officials Say

"It just should not be this easy for someone to walk into a gun store and walk out armed with a weapon of war that is designed to kill as many people as quickly as possible," the congressman said.

“As we saw in Charleston last year, lone wolf terrorists are a threat to all of us. We simply cannot continue to live in a country where it’s easier to buy an AR-15 than it is to buy cold medicine," he said.  “Access to these weapons is a threat to our public safety, and it’s time for Republicans in Congress to come to the table and restore some sanity to our nation’s gun laws.”

Cicilline is the fourth openly gay member of congress and has been working to strengthen gun control laws. He met with President Barack Obama in January to discuss strategies to reduce gun violence and joined 120 other members of congress to reintroduce an assault weapons ban last year, though the Republican controlled House ignored the measure.

The shooting reportedly began around 2 a.m. An officer responded to a call of shots fired at the club. He first engaged the shooter outside of the club, with gunfire exchanged. The man ran back inside Pulse, shot many of those in the bar, and a hostage situation began. Some who were inside the club thought the gunshots were part of a music set.

SEE ALSO:

• Orlando Shooter Omar Mateen: What We Know
• ‘This Has Nothing To Do With Religion,’ Orlando Shooter’s Dad Says

The suspect has been identified as Omar Mir Seddique Mateen, 29, from Port St. Lucie, according to U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson. Mateen is a U.S. citizen, but some of his family members are not. Grayson would not say where the family is from, but several media outlets have reported they are from Afghanistan.

FBI agent Ron Hopper told the media Sunday morning that the suspect, "may have leanings toward extreme Islamic ideologies."

NBC News reported Mateen called 911 just before the shooting and swore allegiance to the head of the Islamic State. 
But Marteen’s father, Mir Seddique, told NBC News the shooting “has nothing to do with religion.” In an interview, he suggested his son had become enraged at seeing a gay couple kissing during a recent trip to Miami.
The attack was well organized and the shooter was well prepared, officials said. “This is clearly an act of terrorism,” Gov. Scott said at a Sunday afternoon press conference. “It’s sickening (and) it should make every American angry.”