A Democratic congressman announced Monday that he would refuse to honor a moment of silence held in memory of the people murdered in the Las Vegas mass shooting the prior night.
Police say that at least 50 people were killed and hundreds more were injured when a man opened fire on the crowd at a country music festival from his hotel room. The shooter, identified as local 64-year-old man Stephen Paddock, is not believed to have any religious or political motivation.
In response, Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton (D.) said he would refuse to participate in a House of Representatives moment of silence.
As after #Orlando, I will NOT be joining my colleagues in a moment of silence on the House Floor that just becomes an excuse for inaction.
— Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) October 2, 2017
Now is not a moment for silence; it's a time for action.
— Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) October 2, 2017
The Massachusetts Democrat appeared to be protesting inaction to pass gun control legislation.
Moulton also did not participate in a moment of silence in honor of the victims of the 2016 Orlando night club shooting, which killed 49 people.
So I’m joining @jahimes in not attending any more House "Moments of Silence" for mass shooting victims. Walked out of my first one tonight.
— Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) June 14, 2016
In the aftermath of the Orlando attack, the Washington Post reported that Moulton had made the decision after he tweeted out that his "thoughts and prayers" were with the victims, only to be attacked by his constituents.