Niki Tsongas: “Every corner of America has been deeply affected by the tragic loss of so many lives in Newtown, Connecticut. We mourn…”

“Every corner of America has been deeply affected by the tragic loss of so many lives in Newtown, Connecticut. We mourn for the enormity of grief and for the inconsolable loss visited upon Newtown's families, and we know that our response to Newtown must not and cannot go the way of the many other senseless acts of violence we almost routinely witness. The tragedy in Newtown must be a call to action. Members from both sides of the aisle have acknowledged that it is time for a conversation about the accessibility of high-capacity weapons in our country and of the culture of violence we live in. This conversation is long overdue, and it is simply not an option to allow this discussion to become stagnant or to be bullied into silence by seemingly untouchable organizations. America's laws must reasonably control gun manufacturing, sale, and usage. We must act to make real changes that will provide real protection for America's families. In the days to come, let us work together to do just that. ____________________”