Annie Kuster: “Today, I rise to stress the urgent need to pass legislation to keep our communities safe from those with evil intent and…”

“Today, I rise to stress the urgent need to pass legislation to keep our communities safe from those with evil intent and who wish to harm innocent Americans. I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, and I believe we must uphold the tradition of my home State of New Hampshire for responsible, law-abiding gun ownership. But as we saw in Orlando, it is far too easy for individuals with evil intent to get ahold of firearms and target innocent American lives. That is why I strongly urge my colleagues to pass legislation to ban those on the terrorist watch list from purchasing guns. What is more, we must increase background checks to prevent tragedies like the one in my home State of New Hampshire in 1997, when an incredibly disturbed man fatally shot Judge Vickie Bunnell, two State troopers, and a newspaper editor. Individuals like this should not be given access to lethal weapons. Rather, we should give access to mental health treatment. Let's put aside party politics and do what is right to keep our communities safe. ____________________”