Waffle House shooting: 'Take these weapons of war off the streets,' Nashville Mayor Briley says

Nashville Mayor David Briley called for comprehensive gun reform Sunday, declaring "enough is enough" in the wake of a mass shooting at a Waffle House in Antioch — one he likened to an act of terrorism — that left four dead and two others wounded.

"We need comprehensive gun reform to address mass shootings, domestic shootings, accidental shootings and homicides," Briley said at news conference where Metro police, FBI and other law enforcement provided updates on the shooting and search for the suspect, 29-year-old Travis Reinking, who was still at-large Sunday evening.

"If we can all just come together for the greater good, we can take these weapons of war off the streets of our country," Briley said.

Reinking, of Morton, Ill., is accused of using an assault-style AR-15 rifle in the attack. Police say he waited in his pick-up truck for three or four minutes before beginning his assault by shooting from the parking lot before entering the diner, where he continued shooting.

Briley, a progressive Democrat, said, "tragedies like today shouldn't happen" but are "far too frequent." He noted it's been only since September since a gunman entered a church in Antioch and opened fire, killing one and injuring seven others. The incident took place less than two miles from the Waffle House shooting.

► More: Minister at Burnette Chapel, site of September shooting, reacts to Waffle House shooting: 'This is devastating news'

"I know that we all want to live in a safe environment that allows everyone to go to work or school and feel and be safe," Briley said.

"We all want to live up to our greatest potential. And it's my responsibility as the mayor of Nashville to try and make that happen. Clearly, the victims of this shooting deserve our prayers and our thoughts, but they also deserve leaders who will step up and take action and do something to take these weapons off our streets."

► The hero: The 29-year-old hero from Waffle House shooting: 'I saw the opportunity and I took it'

► Waffle House shooting: 4 dead in Antioch shooting; suspect could be at large with two guns

► The suspect's weapon: Police confirm AR-15 used in attack at Antioch diner

'Innocent Nashvillians were terrorized,' mayor says

Reinking's authorization to possess firearms in Illinois, his home state, had been revoked after he was arrested in July 2017 for being in a "restricted area" near the White House, authorities said.

The guns confiscated include the AR-15 police say the suspect used during Sunday's shooting in Nashville.

But Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson said that he believes under Illinois law, guns seized can be returned to someone who had a valid state authorization. Police believe Reinking's father received the weapons after their confiscation and returned them to his son, the authorities said.

"For a moment, let's be honest about what happened," Briley said. "Last night, innocent Nashvillians were terrorized by a man with an AR-15. Let's be honest. Some people see these weapons as having a purpose of terrorizing other people. It's happening too much. Enough is enough."

The mayor did not specify what types of reforms he favors.

► Waffle House shooting: Police release names of victims killed in Nashville attack

► More: Victim DeEbony Groves remembered as special person, brilliant woman

► More: Local musician Akilah Dasilva among the victims of the Waffle House shooting

Other Democrats in Tennessee said the ability for Reinking to lawfully own a gun underscores a policy failure.

"The Waffle House shooter was arrested at the White House 9 months ago and subsequently had 4 weapons seized from him," Tennessee state Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, tweeted. "It’s not wild-eyed liberalism to note it’s a massive policy failure that this guy had an AR-15."

Nashville congressman pushes restrictions on military-grade assault weapons

During his remarks, Briley also recognized the heroism of James Shaw Jr., 29, who is credited for wrestling the gun away from the shooter before the suspect fled. Briley called him "Nashville's newest hero."

Briley sat next to Shaw during the news conference and consoled and embraced him at times while others spoke about Shaw's actions. Earlier in the day, Briley attended church with Shaw.

“Thrown into crisis, he acted with courage," Briley said. "He told me he saw an opportunity and he took it. He saved lives. That is certain, and we are all thankful to him for his bravery. “

Briley thanked first responders on the scene and said the shooting brought home the “fragility of life"

“Our hearts go out to all the victims and their families, and I ask that Nashville continue to pray and rally around them all.”

► More: Waffle House CEO says his attention is on victims, thanks shooting hero

Briley, who was elevated mayor last month after former Mayor Megan Barry resigned, faces an election against 12 other candidates on May 24.

One of his opponents, conservative commentator and former Vanderbilt University proffesor Carol Swain, accused Briley of "pandering" with his comments on gun reform.

"How many votes will Briley get from pandering?" Swain tweeted.

Briley, the city's former vice mayor, was among the thousands of Nashvillians who took part in the March 24 "March for Our Lives" rally to call for gun reform. He also attended a student walkout on gun control Friday outside the Metro courthouse. He spoke at both events.

Nashville's congressman, U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Nashville, also called for gun control Sunday, saying it's time to restrict widespread civilian access to military-grade assault weapons.

“Many will say now is not the time to discuss change. But now IS the time," Cooper said in a statement.

Reach Joey Garrison at 615-259-8236, jgarrison@tennessean.com and on Twitter @joeygarrison.