Political Quotes

“next month, very soon, we will unfortunately mark the 1-year anniversary of the tragedy at Columbine High School. Unfortunately, sensible gun control or legislation still languishes here in the Congress. Forty-three percent of households in America with children have guns. Nothing is wrong with that. It would seem to me, though, that those of us in this Congress, in the face of horrors and tragedies around the Nation, would feel compelled to act. In my home State of Tennessee, 95 percent of background checks for those who wish to purchase guns take place within 2 hours. Only 5 percent require additional information from law enforcement authorities. Is it that much of an inconvenience, I say to those Members of the other side and even on my side, those in the National Rifle Association, and those in the gun lobby community? Is it that much to wait to ensure that we are able to cut down on human loss? Is it that much to wait to ensure that children, indeed, would be safer? The conferees in the House and Senate have not met since August. I applaud the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren) for bringing a motion to instruct the conferees to meet. Let the leadership in the House and Senate call the meeting of the Senate conferees. Let us do right by our children.”