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It’s been nearly a month since more than 100 people were shot inside a gay nightclub in Orlando. As Matt Galka tells us, there’s been plenty said since the shooting, but one of the most powerful legislators in the state – who also happens to have a close connection with the tragedy – has remained mostly silent until now.

Senate President Andy Gardiner (R-Orlando) remembers hearing about the news of the Orlando shooting tragedy.

“I woke up early that morning to helicopters flying around my house, we live about a mile away from the Pulse,” he said.

Of the 49 killed and more than 100 shot last month – many were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center where Gardiner serves as a Vice President.  He says his coworkers saved lives that night.

“Level 1 trauma centers are the real deal and, if it had not been for the level one trauma center being running distance from the Pulse, it would have been a completely different situation, and I’ve always respected my colleagues, but to see what they were able to do, it was beyond impressive,” said Sen. Gardiner.

And while Democrats were trying to trigger a special session for gun control, Senator Gardiner says he doesn’t regret voting no.

“We just thought it was wrong place wrong time,” he said.

He’s still optimistic that lawmakers can do something to help curb the violent attacks.

“when you look at incidents aroudn the country, whether it be my backyard or San Bearnardino, there were red flags. And how do you identify red flags and get people more comfortable in reporting those red flags?” he said.

Gardiner had quietly visited the site of the attack in the aftermath of the shooting, but mostly stayed out of the public eye during the crisis.