Issue Position: Gun Violence Protection

Issue Position

More than 10,000 New Yorkers have lost their lives since 2008 due to gun violence, which has permeated our schools, neighborhoods and places of worship. It has cultivated a uniquely American fear and a uniquely American problem. In the United States, we are 25 times more likely to be killed in a gun-related death than those in other high-income nations. Victims of gun violence are also disproportionately children and/or people of color.

This crisis can be fixed, but it takes the political courage of those in power to fight against the gun lobby and the billions of dollars they invest to influence the government. We must keep weapons of mass destruction off the street. It is the responsibility of our leaders to make laws and work with their communities to promote gun violence prevention and safe gun ownership practices.

In Congress, I have long-supported bills that enact universal background checks, ban bump stocks and high-capacity magazines, and keep firearms out of the hands of domestic abusers, those struggling with mental illness and individuals on the Do Not Fly terrorism watch list. Although these commonsense solutions to gun violence are supported by the vast majority of Democrats, Republicans and Independents - whether they own guns or not - these provisions have historically been blocked at every turn by far-right politicians that are more interested in being endorsed by the gun lobby than saving lives. This has to stop.

Again, the senseless loss of life is preventable and must be met with bipartisan action, for which I will continue to advocate in Congress.

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