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Calling the fatal shootings "a horrible tragedy for the commonwealth, this community and the nation," Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine this evening angrily denounced gun lobbyists who have said the murders might not have happened if more students were armed.

"People who want to take this 24 hours after the event and make it their political hobbyhorse— I have nothing but loathing,'' he said during a news conference.

Funny no criticism of those calling for more gun control, much less than 24 hours after the event. The same day in fact.

From Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

For Immediate Release:
04-16-2007
Contact Communications: (202) 898-0792

Blacksburg, VA – Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, issued the following statement:

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the Virginia Tech University community, and to the families of the victims of what appears to be one of the worst mass shootings in American history.

"Details are still forthcoming about what motivated the shooter in this case to act, and how he was able to arm himself. It is well known, however, how easy it is for an individual to get powerful weapons in our country.

"Eight years ago this week, the young people in Littleton, Colorado suffered a horrible attack at Columbine High School, and almost exactly six months ago, five young people were killed at an Amish schoolhouse in Pennsylvania. Since these killings, we've done nothing as a country to end gun violence in our schools and communities. If anything, we've made it easier to access powerful weapons.

"We have now seen another horrible tragedy that will never be forgotten. It is long overdue for us to take some common-sense actions to prevent tragedies like this from continuing to occur."

'It speaks for itself. The vultures began circling over the bodies while they were still warm, and while others were still being treated in hospitals, some in critical condition.

Meanwhile, here is the NRA statement:

The National Rifle Association joins the entire country in expressing our deepest condolences to the families of Virginia Tech University and everyone else affected by this horrible tragedy.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families. We will not have further comment until all the facts are known.

Andrew Arulanandam
Director of Public Affairs
National Rifle Association

So Governor Kaine, who is that is dancing in the blood of innocents to make their political point?

The Virgina Citizens Defense League did post a couple of pretty hot statements.

The VA Affiliate of the NRA, the Virgina Shooting Sports Association also issued a statement similar to that of the NRA, although with a "whiff" of "agenda in it":

For Immediate Release Contact: David Adams April 16, 2007 Phone: 804-382-9501

VSSA President Expresses Sorrow at Tech Slayings Calls upon General Assembly to take action to protect Virginia’s college campuses

Orange, VA – David Adams, President of the Virginia Shooting Sports Association (VSSA), expressed sorrow today after learning of the tragic shootings on the campus of Virginia Tech. “On behalf of the thousands of members of VSSA, I would like to express our deepest sympathy and offer our prayers to the families of the victims and the extended Tech community” said Mr. Adams.

“The cowardly individual that committed these killings took advantage of a ‘gun free zone’ to carry out this brutal act” Adams continued. At this time, details are still unclear and we do not know exactly what occurred that caused such a mass loss of life. What is clear however is this tragedy is one more example in a long list that demonstrates blanket bans on firearms do not deter an individual intent on mass murder.”

Personally I think they should, as a "first step" allow all the members, otherwise eligible to posses a firearm, of the VaTech Corps of Cadets who are also ROTC cadets (not all are), to go armed on Campus.