Congressman Schiff on House Passage of Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
“America’s gun violence epidemic is uniquely tragic and uniquely American – not just because of the countless lives lost, but because of the years that have passed without any meaningful action to stop it. Congress has always had the power to curb this senseless violence, but for too long, too many have been content to offer thoughts and prayers instead of action.
“That inaction must end. After weeks of tough negotiations, the Senate has put forward a bipartisan gun safety bill that will enact meaningful, commonsense reforms to save lives. Among other things, it will toughen red flag laws and background checks so dangerous individuals don’t have unfettered access to deadly weapons. It will close the 'boyfriend loophole' so that domestic abusers can't get their hands on firearms. And it will make important investments in crisis intervention programs, school security initiatives, and mental health services so that we can prevent future tragedies. This compromise doesn’t go as far as I believe it should, but it is a start, and it will save lives.
“There is still so much more to be done. We must ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, raise the age to buy weapons of war, and crack down on negligent gun manufacturers and dealers. This legislation is a welcome start to addressing one of the most pressing challenges we face. Still, this must be the beginning, not the end, of our work to end gun violence.”
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