It is Shocking and Simply Unacceptable That We Live in a Society in Which an Average of 13 Young People from Ages 10-24 Become Victims of Homicide Every Day Due to Gun Violence

Statement

Washington, DC -- Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a Senior Member of the House Homeland Security and Judiciary Committees, released the following statement regarding the tragic shooting at Purdue University and why we need more gun safety laws in America:

"There are no words to express the horror of the senseless violence today at a place that should be a safe place of learning. My heart aches as a parent and someone who visits my local universities and interacts with the students and it is hard to think of what the family of the victim must be going through. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victim of this tragedy and I know everyone will come together to help the community in this time of need.

"For over 10 years in many sessions of Congress I have introduced the HR 227, the Child Gun Safety and Gun Access Prevention Act. I have been an advocate for more gun safety laws in America since I have arrived here in Congress. In one year on average, almost 100,000 people in America are shot or killed with a gun. Over a million people have been killed with guns in the United States since 1968. U.S. homicide rates are 6.9 times higher than rates in 22 other populous high-income countries combined, despite similar non-lethal crime and violence rates. In order to promote safety for our children it is imperative this Congress brings to the House floor NOW the following gun safety laws:

1. An immediate ban on all assault weapons

2. The closing of the gun show loopholes

3. A more structured mental health support system for families that will allow them to get immediate assistance in regards to mental issues. There should be some pathway in which families can acknowledge mental issues within their family and seek public funded or private counseling services immediately.

4. Expanding state laws holding adults responsible for securing their weapons.

"This Congress must rise above partisan politics and now come together to pass important gun safety laws. The safety of America should be at the forefront when it comes to making these gun safety laws. The politics of outside groups like the NRA should not play a factor when we consider the safety of our citizens. We must also look at gun violence in other cities too such as Chicago where over the last few years a number of school age kids have been killed with guns.

"If there is even one step we can take to save another child, or another parent, or another town, from the grief that has visited Tucson, and Aurora, and Oak Creek, and Oregon and Newtown, and communities from Columbine to Blacksburg before that and now Purdue University -- then this Congress surely has an obligation to try."

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