Gun Violence in America: Stopping the Bloodshed

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I am shocked and devastated by the multiple, tragic deaths occurring across our country.

The most recent senseless deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile at the hands of police and the equally senseless killing of five Dallas police officers were all completely avoidable and intolerable.

Words alone cannot describe my heartbreak--nor can words alone bring resolve.

Mr. Speaker, our resolve should be real solutions to stop the bloodshed.

Enough is enough--the American people are fed up, Congressional Democrats are fed up, the Congressional Black Caucus is fed up, and I am fed up.

Republican Leadership should immediately bring to the floor:

1. The Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act, H.R. 1217, which would expand the existing background check system to cover all commercial firearm sales.

2. Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act, H.R. 1076, also known as ``No Fly, No Buy,'' which would allow the FBI to block gun sales to people on the terrorist watch list.

3. Background Check Completion Act, H.R. 3051, which would require that a background check be completed before any gun sale proceeds, and

4. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, H.R. 4603, which would ban the sale of firearms to those convicted of assaulting someone based on their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

Mr. Speaker, we continue to mourn the loss of lives in Newtown, Aurora, Charleston, Orlando, and so many others.

Last month, House Democrats, led by our CBC colleague and iconic civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis from the 5th district of Georgia, held a 26-hour sit-in on the Floor of the House of Representatives to demand House Republican Leaders hold a vote on legislation to address gun violence.

Mr. Speaker, after this sit-in, voters will not be silent.

Americans across the country are coming together and organizing.

In my district, I led a conference call with diverse leaders, activists, elected officials, religious and civic organizations, businesses and individuals in Central Ohio to discuss paving the way forward to curb gun violence and to unite our community.

Mr. Speaker, we're not asking for a lot--we are simply asking to save lives.

Mr. Speaker, what will it take?

Our former colleague, U.S. House Representative Gabrielle Gifford, resigned due to being gun downed while trying to represent her constituents to the fullest.

In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., ``We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now.''

Mr. Speaker, it is time you heed those words.

Our nation is in an urgent crisis, yet, we remain trapped in Congressional inaction.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source