Juan Vargas: “Like many of my colleagues, I rise today in support of National Gun Violence Survivors Week. Every year, over 36,000…”

“Like many of my colleagues, I rise today in support of National Gun Violence Survivors Week. Every year, over 36,000 Americans are killed in acts of gun violence, and almost 100,000 more are shot and injured. This includes nearly 3,000 children and teens who are shot and killed and nearly 15,600 who are shot and injured. Firearms are the second leading cause of death for children and teens and the first leading cause of death for African American children and teens in the U.S. Gun violence overly affects people of color. African Americans represent most gun homicide victims and are 10 times more likely than White Americans to die from gun violence. Gun violence continues to bring agony every day to communities and families around the country. While we cannot bring back the many loved ones lost to gun violence, we must act to prevent more casualties. It is past time for the Senate to act to save American lives. ____________________”