1/16/13

SAN MATEO, CA - Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) issued the following reaction to the President’s Plan to Protect our Children and our Communities by Reducing Gun Violence:

I will do everything in my power to see that Congress passes effective gun responsibility laws. Failure is not an option for me. Frankly, the miracle that put me here today—surviving five point blank shots—is the driving force behind my 24/7 dedication to reduce gun violence in the most gun violent nation of the world’s 23 wealthiest countries. 

We must pledge to achieve everything in the President’s plan.  Collectively, as Americans, we have the blood on our hands of the 12 moviegoers who were killed in Aurora, Colorado, the six Sikh worshippers shot down while praying in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, the 20 innocent first graders and six school employees who lost their lives at Sandy Hook Elementary School, and the more than 900 people who have been killed by guns since the massacre in Newtown, Connecticut.

We must keep assault weapons and high capacity magazines away from criminals and those with criminal intentions and we must make sure that everyone who purchases a gun undergoes a rigorous background check. 

In Congress, a great number of my colleagues have been cowed by the gun lobby. Across the country, responsible gun owners have been quiet about the need for common sense solutions. As the President implored, now is the time for all Americans to call for action for common sense gun laws.

In addition to supporting President Obama’s proposals, I will introduce my own legislation to reduce and prevent gun crime in the U.S.

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