WS Chronicle

To the Editor:

Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chairman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) and co-chairs of the CBC Gun Violence Task Force, Reps. Robin Kelly (IL-02) and Brenda Lawrence (MI-14) released the following statement in response to President Obama’s executive actions to reduce gun violence: 

Gun violence has taken its toll on communities across America, and has particularly had a disproportionate impact within the African-American community and urban areas across the country. We have long witnessed the impact of horrific events that have unnecessarily taken the lives of countless individuals and it is time for sensible gun laws to help lessen the burdens that such violence has created.  Over the past decade, more than 100,000 people have been killed as a result of gun violence and many of these incidents could have been prevented.  Today’s executive action to reduce gun violence is a step in the right direction and members of the Congressional Black Caucus commend President Obama on the resolve to keep communities safe and keep guns out of the hands of individuals who never should have had access or the ability to purchase a weapon in the first place.

CBC Chairman G. K. Butterfield, NC-01

I applaud President Obama’s bold executive actions taken today [Jan. 5]. These policies will have an immediate impact by keeping guns out of the hands of criminals and dangerous individuals and preventing gun trafficking, while also protecting the Second Amendment rights of responsible, law-abiding citizens.  While President Obama’s executive actions are crucial steps in reducing the senseless gun violence plaguing our nation, they do not absolve Congress of its responsibility to act.  There are gaps in existing gun laws that leave us all vulnerable to gun violence, holes that only Congress can plug.  With over 30 Americans being killed by a gun every single day, inaction is not an option.  Congress has a moral obligation to address the public health epidemic of gun violence in America, and the CBC Gun Violence Task Force will keep pushing to pass reasonable and responsible gun safety laws to save lives.

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, IL-02

I strongly support the President’s proposal to address gun violence by providing for new ATF and FBI resources and staff as well as support for mental health programs and reviews. Nothing in the president’s proposal restricts our Second Amendment right to bear arms or our right to privacy.  It does, however, address several loopholes that bad apple gun dealers have been able to exploit for far too long.  It also addresses the appalling lack of access to information related to people who have been legally determined unfit to purchase firearms. This includes felons, those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence, and people who have been found to be a risk to themselves and others and prohibited from possessing a firearm for mental health reasons.

U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, MI-14