Velázquez on Parkland Shooting and Gun Reform

Statement

Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) issued the following statement in the wake of the tragic school shooting in Parkland, Florida.

"No family should ever have to endure the horror of losing a child or loved one. On February 14th, the lives of 17 students and educators were taken by a senseless act of gun violence in Parkland, Florida. New Yorkers and Americans across the country are heartbroken by this tragedy -- but they are also demanding real action.

"The brave young student survivors of Parkland are becoming an important clarion call, demanding gun control laws and, for my part, I will continue to support their efforts in Congress. I believe that assault rifles are weapons of war and have no place in our communities. That's why I support legislation to ban assault weapons, gun silencers and bump stocks.

"In addition to removing these dangerous firearms from stores, Congress must take steps to crack down on the iron pipeline of out-of-state guns that are funneled into places like New York. I have introduced legislation that would mandate new technology to identify weapons, allowing law enforcement to trace the origin of guns used in violent crimes. I will also continue to advocate for my bill that taxes guns and uses the revenue to fund gun violence research--something that the gun lobby has resisted for years.

"The National Rifle Association has consistently given me an "F Rating' on their voting scorecard -- and I've never been more proud to earn the disapproval of an organization. While it is tragically too late for the victims of the Parkland shooting and far too many other school massacres, it is not too late for Congress to take action. Indeed, we have a moral obligation to do so, immediately."

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