A Year after the Tragedy at Sandy Hook it is Still Imperative that We Come Together in Strong Suport of a Broad and Comprehensive Strategy to Address Gun Violence in America

Statement

Washington, DC -- Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Founder and Co-Chair of the House Children's Caucus released the following statement regarding the one year anniversary of the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut:

"There continues to be a need for a comprehensive approach to addressing the problem of gun violence in America. Guns and the harm perpetrated by them impact every American and the tragedy at Sandy Hook one year ago only underscored how random gun violence events can be. Over one 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. Most gun owners are responsible and law-abiding, and they use their guns safely. I have introduced HR 65, the Child Gun Safety and Gun Access Prevention Act and she has co-sponsored other gun safety legislation while in Congress. Many in the law enforcement community have expressed strong support for her legislation.

"As the Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus and a senior Member of the Judiciary Committee, I have listened far too often to the tragic testimony of individuals who have survived or lost loved ones as a result of gun violence. In America there exists a pernicious culture of violence; a subculture that with today's technologically advanced weaponry is far more dangerous to public safety than ever before. At no point in our nation's history has a single human been more capable of inflicting massive death and misery, and our society is producing more individuals who wish to employ such means to carry out their ill intentions.

"What occurred at Sandy Hook almost a year ago is every parent's worst nightmare -- a senseless tragedy, leaving us to wonder what could motivate someone to commit such a horrible act against innocent children and those who serve as their educators. The entire nation will continue to stand as a source of support to this community. I urge all Americans to continue to keep these victims and their families in their thoughts and prayers as they go through these difficult times."

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