Lady Gaga, other celebs condemn Texas church shooting, push for stricter gun control
Celebrities’ reactions to the fatal mass shooting inside a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Sunday (Monday morning in Manila) ranged from grief to outrage.
Twenty-six people died after the suspect, identified as Devin Kelley, indiscriminately fired at worshipers inside the First Baptist Church.
A citizen with a rifle went after Kelley, who died with a gunshot wound, but authorities said it was not clear if it was self-inflicted or he was killed, according to a report by The Daily Beast.
Celebrities including talk show host Ellen DeGeneres sent their sympathies for the families of the victims.
The world can feel hopeless, but it’s not. We have each other. We have the power to act, for Texas, for Las Vegas, for Orlando. For us all.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) November 6, 2017
The 1975 frontman Matt Healy also gave his sympathies and called out the media for refraining to call Kelley a terrorist.
Article continues after this advertisementMy thoughts are with those in Texas caught up in another avoidable and senseless tragedy. Haven’t heard the word terrorist, he must be white
— matty (@Truman_Black) November 5, 2017
He’s a terrorist
— matty (@Truman_Black) November 5, 2017
Internet star Todrick Hall tweeted that he was praying for his home state.
Praying for my state! God Bless Texas.
— Todrick Hall (@todrick) November 6, 2017
“Charmed” star Alyssa Milano asked, “When will the madness end?”
When will this madness end? How many more innocent people must die?
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) November 5, 2017
Other famous names urged the US government to push for stricter gun-control laws, including acclaimed author Stephen King, pop star Lady Gaga, singer Bette Midler, and actresses Patricia Arquette and Mira Sorvino.
Enough with the prayin’. Time to start legislatin’.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) November 5, 2017
Prayers for #SanAntonio and all the families who are suffering the loss of loved ones. I’ll pray also for #GunControl
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) November 5, 2017
NOW IS THE TIME TO TALK ABOUT GUN CONTROL! Another senseless mowing down of innocent citizens who have THE RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE WITHOUT FEAR!!
— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) November 5, 2017
I don’t care the shooters name, race, religion or political party. The only way to impact mass shootings is #GunControl
— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) November 5, 2017
I am praying for the #Sutherland victims & their families, but also that Congress awakens to its sin of inaction in this carnage #guncontrol
— Mira Sorvino (@MiraSorvino) November 5, 2017
According to a report by USA Today, the gun laws in Texas are the “most lax in the nation,” with a recent approval of reducing the application fee for handgun licenses to $40 from $140. Katrina Hallare /ra
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