President Donald Trump has denounced two mass shootings in Ohio and Texas, saying "hate has no place in our country."
Addressing reporters in Morristown, New Jersey, Trump said Sunday that "we're going to take care" of the problem. The president says he's been speaking to the attorney general, FBI director and members of Congress, and will be making an additional statement Monday.
He says the problem of shootings has been going on "for years and years" and "we have to get it stopped." Trump also pointed to a mental illness problem in the U.S., calling the shooters "really very seriously mentally ill."
The shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, over the weekend left at least 29 people dead.
Here's what Texas lawmakers and politicians have said regarding the recent shootings:
Gov. Greg Abbott
Statement on shooting in El Paso:
— Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott)
Presidential candidate Julian Castro
There is a both a serious gun violence epidemic, as well as a toxic brewing of white nationalism taking place in the United States right now.
— Juli谩n Castro (@JulianCastro)
We can, and must, address both of these crises with the urgency this moment demands.
El Paso Mayor Dee Margo
(1)This declaration of a local disaster activates the appropriate recovery efforts from the State necessary for the City to address the needs associated with this weekend鈥檚 tragedy. Our community has been resilient. We will not be defined by this senseless act of violence.
— Mayor Dee Margo (@mayor_margo)
Rep. Veronica Escobar
More food and water for families than can be consumed.
— Rep. Veronica Escobar (@RepEscobar)
Lines stretching around the buildings in order to donate blood.
This is El Paso.
No one can shatter the generous spirit and beauty of this community.
Hate doesn鈥檛 divide El Paso. It unites us against it.
Rep. Will Hurd
Hurd, who announced his decision to retire on Friday, appeared on CBS's Face the Nation on Sunday to address the El Paso shooting.
This El Paso shooting was an act of terrorism based on hate. I joined my colleagues to pass a background check bill to prevent guns from getting in the wrong hands, but civil society also can help. If you see something on social media, send a screenshot to local law enforcement.
— Rep. Will Hurd (@HurdOnTheHill)
Presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke
El Paso is one of the strongest communities on the planet. Everyone donating blood, bringing food to University Medical Center, & rallying for those families makes me so inspired鈥攁nd they've got to compel us to do everything possible to make sure this does not continue to happen.
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke)
Rep. Mary Gonzalez
The bonds of love and fellowship we all share are stronger than the hatred and fear that confronts us now. Our commitment and words below.
— Dr. Mary E. Gonzalez (@RepMaryGonzalez)
George P. Bush, Commissioner, Texas General Land Office
— George P. Bush (@georgepbush)
