Washington – Today, on a National Day of Action on Gun Violence Prevention, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) released the following video message urging Congress to take action and pass commonsense gun reform legislation, including background checks on all commercial gun sales, that will help keep guns away from criminals, domestic abusers, and other dangerous individuals, reduce gun violence, and save lives.
Excerpt from Rep. McNerney’s Message on Gun Violence Prevention:
“In the aftermath of the deadliest mass shooting by a single individual in our nation’s history… It is now time to show the victims, survivors of gun violence, and the overwhelming majority of Americans… that there are leaders who are standing up to reduce gun violence and are fighting to actually make some improvements in this important issue… We shouldn’t have to wake up to news reports of innocent people gunned down before we take action. We are fighting to take action now to expand background checks on all gun sales and to prevent people with known terrorist connections from buying guns… Refusing to act does not make the problem go away. Too many lives have been lost,” said Rep. McNerney in his message.
Full transcript of Rep. McNerney’s message as prepared:
Americans have had enough of Congressional inaction on gun violence in our country.
In the aftermath of the deadliest mass shooting by a single individual in our nation’s history, the Republican majority in the House refuses to consider any legislation to reduce gun violence.
It is now time to show the victims, survivors of gun violence, and the overwhelming majority of the Americans, both Democrats and Republicans, who support commonsense gun laws, that there are leaders are standing up to reduce gun violence and are fighting to actually make some improvements in this important issue.
Our country has seen 1,000 mass shootings over the last 1,260 days, but sadly, mass shootings are only a small portion of the gun violence that takes place every day in our streets.
Just about 90 people die from gun violence every day, in neighborhoods and communities across the country, including my home district.
We don’t have to accept this. We shouldn’t have to wake up to news reports of innocent people being gunned down before we take action.
We are fighting to take action now to expand background checks on all gun sales and to prevent people with known terrorist connections from buying guns.
It’s shameful that Republicans in Washington continue to give in to the gun lobby and turn their backs on the American people who deserve a debate and a vote on these policies in the People’s House.
Refusing to act does not make the problem go away. Too many lives have been lost. We must remain steadfast, and we must work toward meaningful reforms that will save lives.
End of transcript.
Yesterday, Rep. McNerney joined Cleveland School Remembers and other community groups in Stockton, CA for a community gathering to honor the victims and survivors of gun violence, and to call on Congress to pass commonsense gun reforms.
Last week, Rep. McNerney joined with other House Democrats for a sit-in on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to call for action on gun violence prevention legislation, including expanding background checks on all commercial gun sales to keep guns away from criminals, terrorists, domestic abusers, and other dangerous individuals.
On average, 108,926 people are shot by guns every year and more than 30,000 people die from gun violence. Roughly 90 people are killed by guns every day, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
###
Rep. Jerry McNerney proudly serves the constituents of California’s 9th Congressional District that includes portions of San Joaquin, Contra Costa, and Sacramento Counties. For more information on Rep. McNerney’s work, follow him on Facebook and on Twitter @RepMcNerney.
