Chairman Becerra: We Stood For A Moment Of Silence Today In Congress, But We Must Take Action To End Gun Violence

Statement

Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra (CA-34) today spoke at a press conference held by Rep. David Cicilline (RI-01) of his support for the Assault Weapons Ban of 2015 that would renew a ban on semi-automatic weapons. His remarks from the press conference follow:

"Earlier today, we stood with our friend and colleague from San Bernardino, Pete Aguilar, in a moment of silence, just as we have to recall the tragedies in Colorado Springs, Newtown and Charleston. We've had a lot of moments of silence, but we haven't done a lot else in this Congress to take action against gun violence.

"It's time for the Speaker to give us a vote. Americans, and certainly the families of the victims, deserve a vote: [a vote] on the research to find out how gun violence impacts our community, on universal background checks to make sure that those who are trying to purchase weapons are sane enough to possess and use them and a reinstitution of the assault weapons ban.

"I was here 20 years ago and voted for the assault weapons ban then. We can do this; we just need a chance to try. Many of us believe that we must stand and extend our condolences in a moment of silence. But if you're a Member of Congress who has been elected by the people of America, you can't stop there. We must act. The Speaker must let us try.

"I thank Congressman Cicilline for taking this step and I'm pleased to join each and every one of my colleagues who is standing with us today. One of the victims of the San Bernardino killing was a constituent of mine, Shannon Johnson. He commuted from Los Angeles all the way to San Bernardino. We have to do something. Sensible gun safety measures are doable; give us a chance to prove it."

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