Gun Safety Legislation

Floor Speech

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Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in, again, calling for this Congress to just simply call a vote on commonsense, lifesaving gun safety legislation. It has been almost 3 months since House Democrats have taken to the floor to call for a vote, and the statistics indicate that this Congress' inaction has been complicit in thousands of lost lives.

Mr. Speaker, gun violence continues to claim the lives of too many young people in this country. Sadly, it appears that every time I take to this podium to speak out against this Congress' inaction, there is another life lost to gun violence in my home district.

As a nonvoting Delegate of Congress, I may not have a vote on the floor, but I have a voice; and I want to use that voice in joining the American public and my constituents in the Virgin Islands in saying enough is enough.

As the mother of four young Black men, I hold my breath every time my sons go out to go about constructive daily life. Statistically, my sons are in the sight of being the victims of gun violence. Twice last week, one of my sons was within blocks and minutes of others in my community being shot--people doing their job.

While we were in recess, my own former scheduler lost her husband, a fireman on his job, to gun violence in our community. Dorene, the prayers of all of us are with you and your family.

Every day this Congress fails to act, more American families mourn, more American lives are cut short, and more American cities continue to mount homicide and shooting statistics. We can ensure responsible gun ownership while closing loopholes that allow terrorists and criminals to get their hands on dangerous weapons.

I am urging--urging--my colleagues across the aisle to bring commonsense gun safety legislation to a vote.

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