Addressing the media, the heartbroken father of one of the victims of Eliott Rodgers' shooting rampage in Santa Barbara blamed "craven, irresponsible politicians and the NRA" for being complicit in his son's death.
Richard Martinez, father of 20-year-old Chris Martinez, said he was speaking for the family and told the assembled reporters, "Our son, Christopher Martinez, and six others are dead. Our family has a message for every family out there: You don't think it will happen to your child until it does."
"Chris will a really great kid," Martinez said, "His death has left our family lost and broken."
"Why did Chris die," Martinez continued, his voice rising. "Chris died because of craven, irresponsible politicians and the NRA. They talk about gun rights. What about Chris's right to live?"
"When will this insanity stop," he said. "When will enough people say 'stop this madness, we don't have to live like this.'"
Martinez said he spoke with his son by phone 45 minutes before he was shot inside the IV Deli Mart by Rodgers.
Police say that Rodgers owned three legally purchased 9MM semi-automatic handguns and over 400 rounds of unused ammunition was found in the car after Rodgers shot himself following a police chase.
