Van Hollen Statement on Senate Gun Safety Votes

Statement

Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen released the following statement after Senate Republicans voted to block consideration of amendments including No Fly, No Buy legislation and provisions to expand and strengthen our background checks system:

"Today is another sad and shameful day in the halls of Congress, as the voices of the American people were silenced by political cowardice in the face of the gun lobby. While today's votes were disappointing, we will not remain silent while families continue to lose their children, brothers, and sisters to gun violence every day. We must work to build more support for universal background checks, to prevent those on the terrorist watch list from buying guns, to once again ban military style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines, and to require a license to purchase a firearm. These are common sense and constitutionally acceptable safety measures, and it's our moral imperative to take decisive action.

"To prevent the next massacre and end the bloodshed on our streets and in our schools, churches, and night clubs, we must act -- and Congress should not go on break until we pass legislation to keep Americans safe."

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