Charleston’s Democratic mayor on Thursday cited the need for stricter gun control laws after a gunman killed nine congregants in a historic black church downtown.
“You don’t know what could have been done,” Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr. told The Washington Post when asked whether the shootings could have been prevented.
“I personally believe there are far too many guns out there, and access to guns, it’s far too easy. Our society has not been able to deal with that yet,” he added.
Mr. Riley said Wednesday night’s massacre at the Emanuel AME Church is just “another example of why” more gun-control measures should be put in place.
The longtime mayor went on to criticize the “easy ability for people to gain possession of them no doubt contributes to violent acts,” The Post reported.
“I’ve never stopped pushing for it,” Mr. Riley said of gun control legislation. “This is just a very heartbreaking and tragic example of why it is needed.”
Dylann Roof, 21, of Lexington, is in custody in North Carolina after allegedly opening fire Wednesday night inside the church. Police said the suspected gunman sat in a prayer meeting in the church for an hour before the shooting.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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