WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) and Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) released the following statement regarding Speaker Paul Ryan’s call to restrict access to bump stock devices through regulatory framework, rather than bringing commonsense gun violence prevention bills to the House Floor for a vote.
“Last week, the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history took the lives of 58 citizens and injured hundreds more in Las Vegas, tragically increasing the number of lives that have been lost to gun violence. The fact that some Republicans, who have refused to offer anything more substantive than moments of silence after every mass shooting, are supporting restrictions on bump stocks, shows even they can no longer deny the stark reality of gun violence in our nation.
“An executive regulation of a device, like a bump stock, that easily upgrades assault weapons into military-grade weapons is simply not enough. A bump stock is only effective when a user has access to a semi-automatic weapon, and would be useless without such a dangerous rifle. We need a vote on reinstating the assault weapons ban, enacting universal background checks, and banning high-capacity magazines now—not after the next mass shooting. If Republicans truly believe that gun violence is not a problem, then they should immediately end their blockade on researching the issue. Just like every major public health issue in this nation, a full understanding of gun violence will lead to the most responsible solutions.
“Republicans must demonstrate some moral conviction and stand up against the NRA and the gun lobby. We urge Speaker Ryan to stop valuing guns more than human life and put serious and comprehensive gun-violence-prevention bills on the floor for a vote.”
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The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) is the largest caucus within the House Democratic Caucus, with over 70 members standing up for progressive ideals in Washington and throughout the country. Since 1991, the CPC has advocated for progressive policies that prioritize working Americans over corporate interests, fight economic and social inequality, and promote civil liberties. The CPC champions progressive policy solutions like comprehensive immigration reform, a $15 national minimum wage, fair trade, gun violence reform, debt-free college, and making the federal government a Model Employer.
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