WASHINGTON – The Senate chaplain opened Tuesday’s legislative session by asking lawmakers to “go beyond thoughts and prayers” in the wake of the nation’s latest deadly incident. School shootingwhere three children and three adults were shot and killed at a private school in Nashville, Tennessee.
“Eternal God, we stand in awe of you,” prayed Chaplain Barry Black. “Lord, when children die in a church school, it’s time to go beyond our thoughts and prayers. Remind our lawmakers of the words of British statesman Edmund Burke: All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is nothing for good men.”
Black, who has been chaplain to the Senate since 2003, urged senators to reject the “paralysis of analysis that waits for miracles” and asked God to “use them to fight the demonic forces that want to consume us.”
His plea comes after legislative efforts to enact more comprehensive gun control laws stalled Last year’s passage A bill that improved some background checks and provided billions of dollars for mental health services and school safety. President Biden on Monday again called on Congress to pass a ban on assault-style weapons, a nonstarter in the Republican-controlled House.
“I again call on Congress to pass my assault weapons ban,” Mr. Biden said during a speech. “It’s about time we started making some more progress.”
The shooter, identified as Audrey Hale, 28, of Nashville, was armed with at least two assault-style weapons and a handgun, officials said.
Nashville Police Chief John Drake said a preliminary investigation into Monday’s shooting at The Covenant School indicated an attack. target. Drake said investigators believe the gunman, who was shot and killed by police, was once a student at the school.
“What detectives have said so far is that there’s probably some reluctance to go to that school,” he said said “CBS Mornings”.
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Catherine Watson
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