Congresswoman Lawrence Again, Demands Action to Address Gun Violence

Statement

Rep. Brenda Lawrence (MI-14) today continues to demand that Congress take action to address gun violence following the murder on February 14, 2018 of 17 high school students who were victims of a mass shooter using an AR-15 assault rifle in Parkland, Florida.

"My heart goes out to the loved-ones of the victims of this vicious attack and to the survivors who have to live with the fear and memory of what happened on that Valentine's Day.

"We are only in the second month of 2018 but are facing the 18th school shooting in America. We are just barely past 2017, the year being called the deadliest year of mass shootings in modern U.S. History. But still, the response from Republican leaders on action against gun violence in America is simply and callously "now is not the time.' said Rep. Lawrence. "The American people need more from Congress than simply their thoughts and prayers. America needs leadership that cares when our children and innocent people are violently murdered in their schools, their churches, movie theaters at concerts and social gatherings. America needs action, and they need it right now.

"America cannot afford for mass shootings and massacres with assault weapons to become the new normal. This is not a partisan issue; this is about American lives. We can no longer ignore the call of the America people for action. We can no longer ignore the tears and cries of mothers who sent their child to school and work to support their future, only to hear that they now will need to plan for their funeral. Their lives must not be lost in vain. We in Congress, have a duty to the American people and a duty to do all we can to make sure a tragedy like this never happens again.

"Congress has the power to make a difference. However, the question will be, do we have the courage to act? Attempting to place all the blame on mental illness is not only stigmatizing, but it is simply inaccurate. We need commonsense gun safety laws. I support background check legislation that would expand background checks to cover all commercial firearm sales and close loopholes. I have cosponsored legislation that would create a more robust vetting system for purchasing semiautomatic firearms, like the AR-15 used by this recent Florida shooter, as well as a bill to ban "bump stocks" that make semi-automatic rifles more deadly.

"We need long-term solutions that make our communities safer and emphasize responsible gun ownership while protecting Americans' Second Amendment rights. I urge my colleagues in both the House and Senate, and on both sides of the aisle, to take immediate action and not rest until we address this ongoing crisis. All Americans must contribute to this discussion so we can turn thoughts and prayers into action."

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