Van Hollen: Senate Gun Vote "A Sickening Display of Political Cowardice"

Statement

Today Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement after a series of bills that aimed to reduce gun violence, including the bipartisan Manchin-Toomey agreement on background checks, was blocked by a minority of senators:

"Today, in a sickening display of political cowardice, an undemocratic minority of senators blocked a series of bills that would help reduce gun violence, including a bipartisan compromise proposal to close gaping loopholes in current law and keep guns out of the hands of criminals and people with severe mental illnesses -- a proposal that has the support of 90 percent of Americans. It is a sad day for our nation when an undemocratic minority bows to the special interest Washington, DC gun lobby to block an up-or-down vote on a common-sense idea that the vast majority of people support.

"We have a long tradition in this country of responsible gun ownership -- but in the wake of too many tragedies, including the massacre in Newtown, we are clearly not doing enough to keep our citizens safe. We cannot allow politics and misinformation to stand in the way of what is best for our nation, and I will keep fighting for this issue on behalf of our children, our families, and our community."

Source