Ted Deutch: “As we begin to hear stories of the victims, Justin Shilling, Hana St. Juliana, Madisyn Baldwin, and Tate Myer, our…”

“As we begin to hear stories of the victims, Justin Shilling, Hana St. Juliana, Madisyn Baldwin, and Tate Myer, our hearts are broken for the families in Michigan. For the 17 dead and 21 wounded at a high school in Columbine 22 years ago; for the 32 dead and 17 wounded at Virginia Tech 14 years ago; for the 27 dead and two wounded at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, 3,275 days ago--9 years ago--for the 17 dead and 17 wounded at a high school in Parkland 3 years ago; and for the four dead and seven wounded at a high school in Oxford, Michigan, 2 days ago, Mr. Speaker, we know what can be done to help save lives. We know red flags laws are bipartisan and can save lives. We know that if we invest in mental health we can save lives. We know that background checks save lives. These are not partisan, and these are not controversial. How many more scenes like the one in Michigan do we need to see before this Congress, the Senate, this House, and the White House get together to stop the violence? Mr. Speaker, it is urgent. The time to act is not now, it was years ago. We must come together and help save lives. ____________________”