Statement from Governor Kathy Hochul

“Another American city is in mourning today after the latest racially-motivated mass shooting. A gunman with hate in his heart used a deadly firearm to unleash death and destruction in Jacksonville. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims and the entire Jacksonville community.

“Sadly, New Yorkers know this feeling all too well. Last year’s massacre of ten Buffalo residents was disturbingly similar to this shooting in Jacksonville: a gunman motivated by racism, a weapon of war used to massacre innocent people, and a community torn apart.

“After the Buffalo massacre, New York took action to curb gun violence and prevent these acts of terror. We raised the age to buy a semiautomatic rifle, strengthened our red flag laws, and required social media companies to improve their responses to hateful comments on their platforms. Florida’s leaders must do the same.”