Bradley Byrne
First District, Alabama
__________
Serving Baldwin, Clarke,
Escambia, Mobile, Monroe, and Washington Counties
House Committees:
Armed Services
Education and the Workforce
Rules
June 16, 2016
Dear (trof):
Thank you for contacting me with regard to the Orlando terrorist attack.
As you know, on June 12, 2016, a gunman open fire in an Orlando nightclub killing 49 people and wounding 53 others. According to reports, the gunman, Omar Mateen, claimed allegiance to ISIS and had been investigated by the FBI on two separate occasions about potential ties to terrorism.
Like all Americans, I was shocked and saddened to hear about this horrific and violent attack. I understand and share the outrage felt by so many at these evil acts, and as a parent, my heart breaks for the families of the victims. The conversation on what – if anything – can be done to prevent these shootings from occurring again must be comprehensive; including mental health issues, the spread of radical Islamic ideology, and a whole host of other topics. Nothing this important will be solved by a single, simple solution.
In times like these, many people call for gun control reform. I do not believe new gun laws could have prevented this attack from taking place. I remain steadfastly committed to upholding the individual right of all law-abiding Americans to keep and bear arms. We don't need new gun laws. Gun laws will do nothing to defeat terrorism. We do need a clear strategy that will ensure our enemy is defeated in the Middle East, online, and right here in the United States. Victories overseas at the hands of ISIS provide them with the propaganda they need to recruit people specifically here at home, and all around the world.
Far too often, after national tragedies like the one in Orlando, the American people seem to be driven even further apart by political debates. If we allow these attacks to pull us further apart, then we have done exactly what the attacker intended to achieve. In moments like this, it is my hope that we can come together as a nation, and as a people, instead of turning against one another. In every decision we make, the national security of the American people should be our top concern.
Again, thank you for reaching out to my office. I am honored to serve as your voice in Congress, and I hope you will stay in touch. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can ever be of assistance to you.
BB:hs
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