Mary Gay Scanlon: “I share with you and with the American people a conversation I recently had with a group of children's doctors because…”

“I share with you and with the American people a conversation I recently had with a group of children's doctors because it has haunted me ever since. These busy doctors who work at some of our Nation's finest pediatric hospitals and practices took the time to travel to D.C. because they wanted to help Members of Congress understand the ever-expanding and heartbreaking toll that gun violence is taking on children and our communities every day. They came to D.C. to beg lawmakers, not for thoughts and prayers, but to pass commonsense gun safety laws that will help them stop this epidemic. We now know that firearm injuries are the leading cause of death for children and teens, but they see it firsthand. The stories these doctors shared of the injuries and death that they have to deal with on a daily basis were shocking, but what really struck me was the raw pain in their faces and in their voices as they shared those stories. Think about it. These doctors have dedicated their lives to caring for children, and now they are reeling from the trauma of having to face day in and day out the toll that our Nation's gun violence is taking on those children, knowing that the lion's share of this pain and death is preventable if lawmakers only had the courage to act. The stories these children's doctors told broke my heart. Today, I share their words with you.…”