Dick Durbin: “I wish to speak about the epidemic of gun violence that continues to plague our Nation. Every year, around 32,000…”

“I wish to speak about the epidemic of gun violence that continues to plague our Nation. Every year, around 32,000 Americans are killed by guns. According to recent Centers for Disease Control statistics, every day, on average, 297 Americans are shot, and 91 of those shootings are fatal. Communities across the Nation are affected by this violence, and no community has suffered more than the city of Chicago in my home State of Illinois. From the start of the year through May 10, at least 1,242 people were shot in Chicago. During the same period, there were at least 215 murders in Chicago, the vast majority committed with guns. The level of violence in Chicago is significantly higher than in recent years. And more people have been shot in Chicago this year than in New York City and Los Angeles combined. It is devastating. I met 2 weeks ago with the top Federal law enforcement officials in Chicago: U.S. Attorney Zach Fardon, U.S. Marshal Ed Gilmore, and leaders from the FBI, ATF, and DEA. They reaffirmed their commitment to do all they can at the Federal level to bring down this high level of gun violence in the city. They are committed to working with the Chicago Police Department and its new superintendent, Eddie Johnson, to ensure that Chicago's residents are both protected and respected by law enforcement. There is much work that needs to be done to improve community policing in Chicago to better safeguard the public's safety.…”