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Senate Chaplain Barry Black—a retired Navy Admiral—called for lawmakers to take action after another mass shooting in Nashville, Tennessee. During his opening prayer, Black urged senators to "move beyond thoughts and prayers."
The mass shooting at The Covenant School took the lives of six people, including three 9-year-old children. The shooter, a former student at the school, was killed by police. The incident has once again reignited the debate over gun control in the United States.
You can hear what Black said in the video below.
\u201c"When babies die at a church school, it is time for us to move beyond thoughts and prayers. Remind our lawmakers of the words of the British statesman Edmund Burke: 'All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.'"\n\n-- Senate @Chaplain_Black #Nashvile\u201d— Howard Mortman (@Howard Mortman) 1680012882
Black said:
“Lord, when babies die at a church school, it is time for us to move beyond thoughts and prayers."
"Remind our lawmakers of the words of the British statesman Edmund Burke: ‘All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing."
"Lord, deliver our senators from the paralysis of analysis that waits for the miraculous.”
The phrase “thoughts and prayers” has become a standard political response after mass shootings, but many gun rights advocates argue that nothing more can be done to address the problem.
Even though Congress approved a law in the previous year that had limited restrictions on purchasing firearms and allocated funds to enhance mental health care and school security, Republicans have continuously rejected demands for stricter gun control measures.
Black’s prayer serves as a reminder that action is needed to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
Many appreciated Black's pointed criticisms and praised him for speaking out.
\u201c@HowardMortman @Chaplain_Black Exactly what was needed in the place where legislators could hear it. Thank you @Chaplain_Black\u201d— Howard Mortman (@Howard Mortman) 1680012882
\u201c@HowardMortman @Chaplain_Black Thank you Sir \ud83d\ude4f Thank you\u201d— Howard Mortman (@Howard Mortman) 1680012882
\u201c@HowardMortman @Chaplain_Black I love this guy. Through the impeachment hearings, his voice was so calming. His way is assuring and words truthful. God bless him.\u201d— Howard Mortman (@Howard Mortman) 1680012882
\u201c@HowardMortman @Chaplain_Black Wonderful message. Thank you @Chaplain_Black \n\n#BanAssaultWeaponsNow\u201d— Howard Mortman (@Howard Mortman) 1680012882
\u201c@HowardMortman @cspan @Chaplain_Black Here\u2019s a thought and prayer worth listening to and acting upon.\u201d— Howard Mortman (@Howard Mortman) 1680012882
\u201c@HowardMortman @Chaplain_Black Best quotation ever!! On our kitchen wallboard, affixed by my mother\u2014so true!! Where are the good men & women to step forward, now!!\u201d— Howard Mortman (@Howard Mortman) 1680012882
\u201c@HowardMortman @Chaplain_Black I'm frankly AMAZED the Senate chamber didn't erupt in cries of protest from the GOP as he started saying this. (If this had been the House, MTG would have definitely been calling for the chaplain's ouster right then and there.)\u201d— Howard Mortman (@Howard Mortman) 1680012882
\u201c@HowardMortman @Chaplain_Black But a river of NRA blood money flows on the Republican side of the aisle.\u201d— Howard Mortman (@Howard Mortman) 1680012882
Black has been the Senate Chaplain for over 20 years and is the first Black person to hold the position.
While his prayer may not lead to immediate action, it serves as a powerful reminder of the need for lawmakers to take meaningful steps to address the problem of gun violence in the United States.