Bob Menendez: “today we are each asked a simple question: Do you think we should allow the sale of assault weapons to continue…”

“today we are each asked a simple question: Do you think we should allow the sale of assault weapons to continue unchecked? Make no mistake, a ``no'' vote today means that you think it's just fine to go ahead and keep flooding the streets with these guns by the thousands. A ``no'' vote means, ``Yes, I saw the news last night, I saw that child's life was snuffed out by a stray bullet from an Uzi. But you know, they are entitled to those Uzis.'' Well, Mr. Speaker, I think most of America says they are not. Our country has become a battlefield and semiautomatic assault weapons have become the armaments of choice. Far too many people have been killed or crippled for us to pretend that these weapons are merely for sportsmen and hunters. Today we are asked to decide whether the blood in the streets is simply an acceptable loss in the defense of liberty, or an intolerable slaughter of our neighbors and families. Who do you expect will thank you for defending--this slaughter?--your version of liberty? Say no to the killing. Say no to weapons designed for murder. Say yes to life-- vote yes on the assault weapons ban.”