Hillary remembers Orlando, Charleston victims; calls for strong gun control laws

Washington, June 18: Amid a spate of shootings in the US, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has called for strong gun control laws and plugging the loopholes in the rules that are currently prevailing.

In an open letter on the first anniversary of Charleston church massacre and less than a week after the horrific shooting in Orlando, Clinton said an average of 90 people a day are killed by gun violence in our country.

"This must stop. A good first step is closing the 'Charleston Loophole' in our gun laws, which allows a person otherwise prohibited from buying a gun -- such as a domestic abuser or other violent criminal -- to buy one if a background check isn't completed within three business days," Clinton said.

"This loophole allowed the alleged Charleston shooter to buy his gun despite his prior arrest record. How many more innocent people need to be cut down before we act and close this dangerous loophole?" she asked.

Last year nine churchgoers, all African-American, were shot by a young, white man who entered their Charleston, South Carolina, church, joined their Bible study for an hour and then opened fire.

"On that terrible evening and every day since, Americans across the country have joined our hearts with the people of Charleston and South Carolina. Millions of Americans are still walking with them -- in grief, solidarity and determination," Clinton said.

"In the spirit of the Charleston Nine, let's bridge our divides, fight for change and remember that love never fails," Clinton said. Her remarks come just days after the attack on a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, in which Afghan-origin gunman Omar Mateen massacred 49 people.

PTI