Remarks by Congresswoman Marcia Fudge on the House Floor on Gun Violence Prevention, Part Three
Weapons with the ability to carry out such deadly force do not belong on our streets. There is no justification for the use of these weapons anywhere but on the battlefield for which they were designed. I firmly support banning assault weapons of all types. A ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines has been endorsed by several organizations, including:
• Mayors Against Illegal Guns;
• International Association of Chiefs of Police,
• Major Cities Chief Association;
• National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives;
• National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives;
• Police Executive Research Forum;
• Police Foundation; and
• International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators.
The culture of violence doesn't necessarily start with guns. It can often be traced back to mental health concerns and bullying.
Excerpts from Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge's remarks on the House Floor on January 15, 2013 on preventing gun violence. Part Three
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, there was an estimated 45.1 million U.S. adults living with a mental illness. That is 20 percent of all American adults. Sadly, only 17 million of these adults received services to address their illness.
A significant number of the country's inmates also have mental health problems. According to the Department of Justice's 2004 Survey of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional Facilities and its 2002 Survey of Inmates in Local Jails:
• Nearly 45 percent of all inmates in federal prison have a mental health problem;
• Over 55 percent of the inmates in state prison have a mental health problem; and
• Nearly 65% percent of the inmates in local jails have a mental problem.
We cannot continue to ignore the fact that we need to do more to address the issue of mental health. Turning our back on this problem will not make it go away.
The issue of bullying has become rampant in our society. Too many of our children are being bullied during and after school, and on the Internet.
According to Stomp Out Bullying, it is estimated that:
1 out of 4 teens is bullied during their lifetimes.
58% of kids admit someone has said mean or hurtful things to them online. More than 40% say it has happened more than once.
53% of kids admit having said something mean or hurtful to another person online. More than 1 in 3 has done it more than once; and
• 58% have not told their parents or an adult about something mean or hurtful that happened to them online.
Many believe that bullying is a rite of passage. I'm here to tell you that it is not.
Bullying is intentional. It is cruel and abusive. It can set the tone for a lifetime of hurt. Many people are never the same after being bullied.
Depression, anxiety, and many other psychological problems, can result from bullying. Some turn to substance abuse, even suicide.
Bullying is no joking matter. It is not something to be taken lightly.
We must inform our children of the consequences of bullying. We must be attentive and listen to their cries for help.
How many of our children need to fall victim to this cruel behavior before we are moved to act? We must address this issue now.
Mr. Speaker as I close, it is very clear, very, very clear, that we live in a time where the culture of violence has ravaged our communities...taking the lives of innocent Americans, ripping apart American families, and destroying families along the way. We must act now because ournation is depending on us. Anyone who believes that it is okay to use a gun in an open theater is not really thinking very rationally. Someone who believes that you can put a police officer at every single entrance into a school is really not thinking very rationally. We have to do something. No matter what our personal beliefs are, we are all here to work for the American public, not ourselves. We may have a personal opinion as to what should be done about guns, but the people of America are speaking and we need to listen to them. I yield back, Mr. Speaker.
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