On the recordFebruary 7, 2019
I rise this afternoon to recognize and acknowledge gun victims in America. This week in the Judiciary Committee, we held an important hearing on beginning the first steps toward real commonsense gun safety legislation. In listening to witnesses from law enforcement, victims and near- victims, representatives from the health profession, and, yes, those who advocated for the Second Amendment, I would argue that, in this tribute to gun victims, recognizing the pain of their families and those lives lost, that no one is challenging the Second Amendment. But with 100 persons a day dying by gun violence in the United States, it is without question that we must move quickly on universal background checks; we must move quickly on making bump stocks illegal; we must move quickly on the question of assault weapons; we must move quickly on closing loopholes and straw purchases; and we must work with the mental health community to ensure that we address that very sensitive question to help people who are disturbed and challenged. Mr. Speaker, I honor those who have lost their lives, and I honor them by our action. ____________________
