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Hogan, Carper and Vigil in Wake of Orlando Shooting

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ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan says he and his wife are "shocked and saddened by the senseless violence" at a gay nightclub in Florida that killed 49 people.

Hogan said in a statement Sunday that they offer their condolences to the family and friends of "the innocent victims of this act of terror" and gratitude to first responders and law enforcement who responded with "bravery and courage."

Authorities say Omar Mateen opened fire early Sunday at the club before being killed in a shootout with police. Another 53 people were wounded.

Hogan says he has reached out to Florida Gov. Rick Scott to express support and he says Maryland is ready to provide any assistance.

Hogan ordered flags to fly at half-staff to honor the lives lost in the tragedy.

Senator Carper

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Senator Tom Carper (D-De)

DOVER, Del. (AP) - Sen. Tom Carper says the U.S. needs to consider new gun laws following the weekend shooting at a gay nightclub in Florida that left 50 people dead, including the shooter.

The Delaware Democrat on Monday also urged U.S. officials to wage a social media campaign to counter online propaganda and recruiting efforts by terrorist groups.

Carper suggested that guns law be "tweaked" in order to give greater scrutiny to people who are on terrorist watch lists, even while acknowledging that not everyone included on such lists is an actual threat.

Carper, the top Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said he didn't know whether Florida shooter Omar Mateen, who was previously investigated by the FBI but legally purchased the guns he used, was on any watch list.

Verginia Tech Vigil

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NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - Students at Virginia Techgather for a candlelight vigil to remember the more than 50 people killed at a shooting in Florida.

The Roanoke Times reports  that some students held  Sunday night at the April 16 Memorial, which honors the victims of the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting. Students plan to light 50 candles in memory of those killed Sunday in Orlando.

Sunday's death toll makes it the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. The previous deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. was the 2007 attack at Virginia Tech, where a student killed 32 people before killing himself.

Hampton Roads Pride is also held a vigil Sunday night in the parking lot of WHRO in Norfolk.

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.