For Immediate Release
February 15, 2017
Contact:
John Kelley
917-679-6475
jkelley@newtownaction.org
NEWTOWN ACTION ALLIANCE CONDEMNS SENATE FOR WEAKENING THE BACKGROUND CHECK SYSTEM ON GUN SALES
Newtown, CT-Newtown Action Alliance released the following statement after the Senate voted to approve S.J. Res. 14, A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007.
Statement by Po Murray, Chairwoman of Newtown Action Alliance
“After the Sandy Hook shooting, we traveled to Washington D.C. numerous times with hundreds of heartbroken families directly impacted by gun violence. For the last four years, we implored Congress to take action to end gun violence in our nation. The majority of Republican Senators incessantly argued that guns do not play a role in gun violence. They repeatedly told us to focus on mental illness and the enforcement of existing gun laws to tackle gun violence. Regrettably, their words were only meaningless platitudes. Today, 57 Senators (52 Republicans, 4 Democrats and one Independent) chose to roll back the 2007 NICS Improvement Amendment Act to prevent the Social Security Administration (SSA) from submitting the names of the SSA beneficiaries who may be a danger to themselves or others to the National Instant Background Check System.
We know firsthand that an assault weapon in the hands of a person with severe mental illness is extremely deadly and it will devastate multiple families and an entire community in less than five minutes. We firmly believe all members of Congress are keenly aware of this fact however the majority in Congress, including some Democrats, are willing to sacrifice 30,000 Americans every year, as long as they can hold onto their political seats on Capitol Hill. They have sold their souls to the NRA. They do not represent their constituents who overwhelmingly support the measures to strengthen the background check system. Instead of educating their constituents that keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous people is a matter of public safety, they have made a political calculus that receiving the NRA endorsement and political contributions will help them win elections. Therefore, those who were elected to protect all Americans, end up protecting the NRA and the gun industry profits instead. Even gun owners are in harm’s way. Many gun owners commit suicide or lose their children due to unsecured guns.
It is likely that the President will sign this bill into law given that he has pledged his support for the NRA but we can’t sit idly by. We encourage all Americans to tweet at the President @realDonaldTrump to ask him to veto these bills.
“.@realDonaldTrump, Over 100,000 Americans are killed or injured by guns every year. Don’t weaken NICS. Please veto H.J.Res.40 & S.J.Res.14.”
We also encourage all Americans to do some soul searching and make gun violence prevention a priority in the next election cycles. Regrettably, until we elect Congressional members and a President who value our constitutional right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, we will be faced with more bloodshed on our own soil. ”
The Newtown Action Alliance (http://alliance.newtownaction.org) is a grassroots organization formed after the tragic shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School. It works to make America’s children, families, and all citizens safer through legislative and cultural change that will reduce gun violence in our nation.
Best Regards,
Po Murray
Chairman, Newtown Action Alliance & The Newtown Foundation
NewtownAction.org
P.O. Box 3325, Newtown CT 06470
203-512-1778 (M) 203-270-8774 (H)
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