This Current Shooting Tragedy in Oregon Shows why in the 113th Congress we need to Enact Common-Sense Gun Safety Legislation

Statement

Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee, a Senior Member of the House Homeland Security and Judiciary Committees, released the following statement regarding the tragic shooting at Clackamas Town Center in Happy Valley outside Portland, Oregon:

"I was deeply saddened to learn of the shooting that tragically took the lives of Cindy Ann Yuille and Steven Mathew Forsyth. At this difficult time, the people of Oregon must know that the American people have them in our thoughts and prayers, and our hearts go out to the families and friends of those who were killed and wounded. As we mourn this loss which took place at a place thought to be safe -- a mall, we are reminded how things like this can happen in this great country around the holidays.

"This is yet another powerful reminder of the need for a real national conversation about what we can do to prevent gun violence tragedies, and for our elected officials to participate in that conversation by offering real plans to do something about it. There have now been 62 mass shootings since the tragedy last year in Tucson and 100 school shootings since the one at Columbine High School. Tomorrow, according to statistics, another 32 Americans will be murdered by guns.

"We must continue to recognize that common-sense gun safety legislation must also include measures to protect adolescents from guns, especially as they are affected by various physical and emotional changes that can trigger depression and result in suicide attempts. The American people from across the political spectrum are calling for solutions. We know that we are better than this. It is time for our elected officials and presidential candidates to show us that they know it too."

Source