Oklahoma Lawmakers React To Mass Shootings Across The Country

Oklahoma lawmakers are weighing in as the country comes to grips with the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton.

Sunday, August 4th 2019, 11:14 pm

By: Erick Payne

Oklahoma lawmakers are weighing in as the country comes to grips with the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton.

News On 6 has been working to get reaction from Oklahoma leaders in Congress and in the state on this weekend's gun violence.

Congressman Kevin Hern represents Green Country in in the U.S. House of Representatives.

He sent us a statement that reads:

"Sickening murders like this remind us all of the mental health issues raging on in our country, many undetected and untreated."

"We can all agree that these people should never be allowed to own a gun."

"Instead of pointing fingers and blaming others for the choices made by unstable individuals, we should come together in support of the victims and in support of a bipartisan approach to gun control."

Governor Stitt said he spoke with Texas Governor Greg Abbott Saturday and shared with him that Oklahoma stands with Texas.

Stitt wrote on Facebook, "like you, I also woke up to learn of another horrific attack, this time in Ohio."

He went on to say, "we grieve for those who've lost loved ones and we pray for God's mercy, justice and peace."

Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt posted a lengthy statement on social media Sunday afternoon.

Holt said, "It's gun laws, it's mental health services, it's dehumanization, it's bigotry and racism, it's the way our leaders act, and it's the way we treat each other."

Holt reflected on a dark chapter in our state's history in 1995 saying, "As mayor of a city that suffered greatly from the actions of a white supremacist who dehumanized public servants, I work every day to stand for empathy, respect for public servants & respect for all our residents."

Senator Jim Inhofe Tweeted the following response:

"Kay and I are continuing to grieve for those killed in El Paso and Dayton. We are praying for their loved ones and for those who were hurt.

There is no place in America for hateful attacks like these."

Representative Markwayne Mullin sent News On 6 the following statement:

“My prayers are with the victims, their families and the people of El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. These horrific acts of violence have no place in our country and we have to come together to take action. But changing our Constitutional rights isn’t an option. As President Trump stated today, we need to reform our mental health laws and find real, bipartisan solutions that will actually fix the problem we are facing.

“I’m currently working on two pieces of legislation, carried over from last Congress, that will address mental health laws. Reforming 42 CFR Part 2 will help physicians treat substance abuse disorders and mental health issues like a regular medical condition, without the stigma that comes with along with it. The Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic program helps people get the mental health treatment they need, instead of locking up people who have a mental health issue and substance use disorder. Eight states are already doing this with great success and Oklahoma is one of them. We need to expand this to all 50 states and territories. Both of these bills have great bipartisan support.”

We also reached out to U.S. Representatives Tom Cole, Kendra Horn, and Frank Lucas, as well as Senator James Lankford.

Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum posted the following statement on his Facebook page:

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