Post by bot on Feb 6, 2015 6:40:03 GMT -5
Hoyer Remarks at Press Conference Unveiling Gun Violence Prevention Legislation
WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) delivered the following remarks today at a press conference unveiling new gun violence prevention legislation introduced by Representative Elizabeth Esty (D-CT) and Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and co-sponsored by Whip Hoyer:
“[T]his is a critically important issue for our country, for our people, for families, and, certainly, for our children. I want to say that I am very appreciative to Senator Menendez, Representative Esty, Senator [Richard] Blumenthal, Senator [Chris] Murphy, for their leadership, and also for Dave Stowe and Tom Campbell [from the Newtown Action Alliance & the Newtown Foundation] for your keeping the faith and keeping a light lit for safety for our kids and for our people. Thank you very much for that. Representative DeGette and Representative Deutch – I don’t see Diana [DeGette] here, but thank you as well for your leadership.
“None of us will ever forget the horror of Newtown, Aurora, Virginia Tech, and other mass casualty shootings in recent years. They shocked the conscience of our nation and were a tragic wake-up call that Congress must act. Indeed, it has a moral responsibility to act. It is unacceptable that some in the Congress have prevented us from taking action. At the very least, we have ought to have votes on the Floor of the House and on the Floor of the Senate to say where we stand.
“Congress has a responsibility to do what it can to keep dangerous weapons, guns out of the hands of criminals, domestic abusers, and those suffering from mental illness. I support the legislation that Representative Esty and Senator Menendez are introducing today and others that will limit the kind of high-capacity ammunition magazines that have been used in the heinous attack in Newtown [and] so many other areas of the country.
“An overwhelming majority of Americans support common sense gun legislation, such as this measure, which will reduce gun violence, reduce risks, which we should not take, and encourage more confidence while respecting, at the same time, the rights of responsible gun owners in our country. Congress ought to act on this legislation and act swiftly so that we can take an important step forward in protecting Americans against senseless mass violence.
“I thank the advocates from Newtown for joining us today to speak about the human impact of gun violence and the resilience of their community as it continues to recover. [Rep.] Elizabeth Esty has brought on a regular basis, on our side – and I know [Senator] Blumenthal has on the Senate side – the pain, the concern, and frankly, I’m sure, the anger that Congress has not acted, which I think is shared not just by Newtown but throughout this country. So, Senator Menendez, thank you for allowing me to participate in this very, very important press conference.”
Visit www.democraticwhip.gov/ for more press, floor and member resources.