Congressman Frank Pallone Jr., (NJ-06) Statement on Tragic Shooting in Old Bridge, NJ Today

LONG BRANCH, NJ—Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) released the following statement in response to today’s shooting at a Pathmark supermarket in Old Bridge, NJ that left two victims and a gunman dead:

“I was shocked to learn of yet another senseless shooting today, this time at the Pathmark supermarket in Old Bridge. Sadly, throughout our nation it is becoming all too common to wake up to the news of more Americans dying as a result of gun violence, and this time, it has hit even closer to home.

“According to early media reports, the gunman was dressed in body armor, armed with two high-powered assault weapons, an AK 47 and an automatic pistol, and carrying multiple high-capacity clips. Time after time, we learn of mass killings that involve deadly weapons that should never be in the hands of civilians, and today’s tragedy seems to be another horrific example of what happens when military-style weapons fall into the wrong hands.

“While we still have a lot to learn about the specifics of what happened in Old Bridge this morning, one thing we do know is that these weapons have no practical civilian use and their only purpose is to kill a lot of people quickly. When the Assault Weapons Ban was in effect, there was a 66% decrease in gun violence nationally. In the U.S., 33 people die every day from gun violence.

“Our nation watched in horror in July when innocent victims were gunned down in a movie theater in Aurora, CO and since that gruesome shooting, there have been five more mass shootings in the U.S. and 26 more Americans have lost their lives in these tragedies. Even more shockingly, since my former colleague in Congress was shot in Arizona last January, there have been 63 more mass shootings throughout the country. It’s time Americans did more than hold candlelight vigils to honor the lives that have been lost from guns and take action to stem gun violence. It is time to bring back the Assault Weapons Ban and consider other measures that can be taken to put an end to gun violence in our nation once and for all.”

Contact:
Ray Zaccaro/Allison Bormel
202-225-4671