Prevent Dangerous Guns from Reaching Dangerous People

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, today, in America, 48 children and young people will be shot, and seven will die. Today, in America, 45 people will be injured in gun-related accidents, and 55 will take their own lives with guns. Yet, today, in America, zero new Federal gun laws will be debated here in this body.

This is unacceptable.

Yet we know smart gun laws work. We know background checks keep guns out of the hands of terrorists, criminals, and the mentally ill. We know banning assault rifles and high-capacity magazines protects police officers and the communities they serve.

Mr. Speaker, after the Newtown shootings claimed the lives of 20 innocent children, President Obama asked the Nation whether we were prepared to admit that we are powerless in the face of the carnage caused by guns. That is not an admission I am ready to make. This isn't a problem we can ignore.

Mr. Speaker, instead of politics as usual, let's come together to prevent dangerous guns from reaching dangerous people.

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