Larson Demands Action on Gun Violence

Washington – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) took to the floor to address the epidemic of gun violence across the United States.

“Every day the United States Congress remains silent on preventing gun violence, we remain complicit in the deaths of thousands of Americans,” said Larson. “It is our constitutional obligation to vote. Frankly, it does not take a lot of courage to hold a vote—no matter where you stand on this issue. Courage is what Officer Swasey demonstrated last week, giving his life in the line of duty, defending and protecting people under siege. We owe Officer Swasey, his loved ones, and everyone who has lost someone to gun violence a vote on commonsense measures to keep these tragedies from becoming the new normal. The only measure by which the public can hold members of Congress responsible is their voting record.

“We talk often about terrorist threats. There is real terrorism happening in America every day. More than 1,000 mass shootings have occurred since the tragedy in Sandy Hook. People are dying on our streets due to gun violence, and still the House of Representatives has yet to hold a single vote. That is inexcusable. Americans are rightly outraged by our inaction, which is why I’m calling on all Americans to urge their member of Congress to take a vote on the Thompson/King background checks expansion bill before we adjourn for the holidays. It cannot wait any longer.”

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