Gun Owners of American, a nonprofit lobbying organization formed in 1975 to preserve and defend the Second Amendment rights of gun owners, released a statement yesterday in the wake of the largest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

A gunman killed at least 59 people and injured hundreds of others as he rained down bullets on a country music festival using automatic weapons from a Mandalay Bay hotel room.

This is what the GOA said:

Executive Director of Gun Owners of America (GOA) Erich Pratt stated the following after the tragic shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada: “Everyone at Gun Owners of America was extremely troubled and saddened to see the tragic and terrifying report of the shooting in Las Vegas. GOA and all our employees send their sincerest prayers to the victims, their families, and all involved in this heartbreaking incident. “Nonetheless, it is disturbing to see anti-gun politicians and celebrities politicizing the tragedy by calling for further restrictions on guns. “We cannot blame gun owners, the gun itself, or the liberties protected in the Second Amendment for how evil people abuse that freedom. “The vast majority of gun owners handle their firearms responsibly. Guns are used up to 100 times more often to save a life than take life (according to Obama’s Center for Disease Control in 2013). Even so-called ‘assault weapons’ are used in self-defense. Consider the Texan homeowner who successfully used an AR-15 to defend himself against a drive-by attack involving three shooters. “Furthermore, terrorists and evil doers use other instruments, such as trucks, to take lives as shown in the tragic attack in Nice, France, where 86 people lost their lives. “Again, GOA is heartbroken over this tragedy and our deepest sympathies go to out to all involved.”

Here is more information about the nonprofit organization:

GOA was founded in 1975 by Sen. H.L. (Bill) Richardson (now retired). The GOA Board of Directors brings over 100 years of combined knowledge and experience on guns, legislation and politics. GOA’s Board is not satisfied with the “status quo.” Americans have lost some of our precious gun rights and WE WANT THEM BACK! This is why GOA is considered the “no compromise” gun lobby. From state legislatures and city councils to the United States Congress and the White House, GOA represents the views of gun owners whenever their rights are threatened. GOA has never wavered from its mission to defend the Second Amendment, which is liberty’s freedom teeth. Over the last 30 years, GOA has built a nationwide network of attorneys to help fight court battles in almost every state in the nation to protect gun owner rights. GOA staff and attorneys have also worked with members of Congress, state legislators and local citizens to protect gun ranges and local gun clubs from closure by overzealous government anti-gun bureaucrats. As an example, GOA fought for and won, the right of gun owners to sue and recover damages from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) for harassment and unlawful seizure of firearms. Associated with GOA are: Gun Owners of America Political Victory Fund, Gun Owners of California and Gun Owners Foundation. Gun Owners of America Political Victory Fund is the political action arm of GOA. It raises funds to support the election of pro-gun candidates at all levels of government. GOA has a record of helping pro-gun candidates defeat anti-gunners in hundreds of races across the country over the past 30 years, and will continue to do so as long as our supporters provide the necessary financial resources. Gun Owners of California operates solely within California, where it was also founded by Senator Richardson to address the pivotal gun issues arising in that state. Gun Owners Foundation is a non-profit, tax-deductible education foundation. It is the research arm of GOA. Among the activities sponsored by GOF are seminars which inform the public, the media and government officials about key issues affecting the Second Amendment. GOF also publishes books and articles concerning gun issues as they affect people throughout the world.