On the recordMarch 10, 2021
For too many communities in southeastern Pennsylvania, the steady toll of gun violence day in and day out is a horrifying reality. Right now, my region is at the epicenter of a staggering uptick in gun violence taking place in the background of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first 3 months of this year, over 300 people in the city of Philadelphia have been shot. Over 50 have been killed, and 5 of those were children. Mr. Speaker, the gun violence measures we are voting on this week close major loopholes in our gun laws that have allowed people, who we all agree should not have guns, to purchase guns without completed background checks. While our colleagues across the aisle claim these laws won't prevent gun violence, that is not true. Even with the loopholes, Federal background checks have prevented over 3 million sales to people we all agree should not have guns. When required and enforced, background checks work, and they have the power to keep guns out of dangerous hands and off our streets. Congressional complacency in addressing this issue has made our country less safe and put children and our most marginalized communities at risk. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support these bills. ____________________
