Washington D.C. >> Gun violence has become the leading cause of death for youth, maintained the chair of the the Congressional Task Force investigating ways of turning the tide, which still harries evermore young persons countrywide.
Rep. Mike Thompson (D-4th) addressed a partisan group of law makers at the nation’s capital June 4 a the beginning of the National Gun Violence Awareness Month. “That’s why we’re all wearing (some) orange today, that’s the international color for gun violence prevention, and we’re to make sure gun violence prevention becomes a reality,” Thompson said. He went on, charging the House Republicans of not allowing a vote to stem the rising tide of gun deaths.
“I represent a rural district and as most people know, I’m a gun owner and support the Second Amendment,” Thompson said. “Most people in my district fall in that same category. I can’t go to the most rural part of my district without hearing from students or parents their communities aren’t safe because of the issue of gun violence. We’re going to keep working on this, and not stop until it’s addressed.”
Rep. Robin Kelly, (D-2nd, IL.) followed Thomson, informing the Capital crowd that Highland Park, a suburb of Chicago just suffered a mass shooting. “Americans know intimately gun violence only too well,” she said. “Every year, 43,000 people die from gun violence each year, and of them were co-workers, family and friends. Violence ripples through every family and neighborhood, and the issue should move those who work in the capital to get behind the actions to prevent this. She continued, alleging numerous Republicans don ‘t recognize gun violence as a problem. “They talk about freedom but gun violence disproportionately impacts black and brown families,” she added. “It was the Biden Administration that established the first Office of Gun Violence Prevention, she went on. “We can implement gun safe storage to prevent children from shooting their parents’ guns, but we must fund community violence intervention., but we need Republicans to be a part of this.”
Katherine Clark (D-MA 5th), asked the audience what efforts on gun violence have they seen from Republicans, rhetorically. “Not a single vote to save a single life,” she said. “Cruel inaction furthers violence, it is a policy choice. Chair Thompson is pushing a bill to ban untraceable ‘Ghost Guns’ and Joe Neguse (D- 2nd Co.) is securing a background checks bill in Colorado that simply says, if you commit violent crimes, you can’t buy a gun for five years.”
There were 14 Republican House Representatives who voted for The Safer Communities Act gun safety bill (June 2022) including Rep. Tony Gonzalez of Uvalde, Texas. “Growing up, I was a victim of domestic abuse. When I was 5, my mom and I escaped our broken home and found refuge in a battered women’s shelter. Despite the troubles in my childhood, I knew I had a safe haven to escape to every day: school,” he said. “As a loving father of six, my heart breaks for my community. As the congressman who represents Uvalde, I am focused on delivering real change. That starts with addressing the serious lack of mental health resources in our country, while passing laws that don’t infringe on Americans’ Second Amendment rights.
New York Congressmember John Katko broke with Republican colleagues and supported the Safer Communities Act. The package of legislation strengthens some gun laws, such as expanding background checks. Katko said, “Following the recent tragedies in Buffalo, New York and Uvalde, Texas, I said that Congress must develop a thoughtful and substantive response. It is my belief that this legislation represents a consensus approach to addressing senseless and depraved acts of violence, and I fully intend to support this measure when it comes to the House floor.”
Former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming released a statement following her vote, arguing that the bill does not infringe on the Second Amendment. “As a mother and a constitutional conservative, I’m proud to support this sensible bill that will protect our children and limit violence,” she said. “Nothing in the bill restricts the rights of responsible gun owners. Period.”
Lucy Mcbath (D- 7th Atlanta) said, “This is a public health crisis, and we should not live in America this way, we will win because it’s the right thing to do.” Thompson echoed her predicting they will prevail with stronger legislation. “The Republicans got a bill on the floor now that says, the Veterans Administration cannot alert NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check) of who is too dangerous to allow gun ownership,” he said. “This would allow people who cannot be trusted with firearms and would make our communities less safe.”
