06.14.16

Durbin: Congress Must Heed America's Call to End Gun Violence

Urges Republicans to address gun violence in Orlando and Chicago, show leadership by condemning Trump

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke today about the urgent need for gun control legislation as a matter of national security and public safety, citing Sunday’s mass shooting in Orlando and gun violence in Chicago as examples of the consequences of inaction. Durbin called on his Senate colleagues to act immediately to keep guns out of the hands of convicted felons, the mentally unstable, and individuals with ties to terrorism. He also strongly criticized Republican leaders for failing to speak out against Donald Trump’s offensive, anti-Muslim rhetoric.
  
“Common sense dictates that we as a Congress listen to the pleas across America to stop this gun violence. What happened in Orlando was heartbreaking. But what has happened in the city of Chicago since the first of the year is heartbreaking, too -- over 1,000 gun violence incidents, over 200 people killed in that great city,” said Durbin. “It breaks my heart to have people in neighborhoods all across that city scared to death of firearms. Do we have the guts to stand up and do something as a Congress? Or are we going to cower, afraid of the National Rifle Association? I hope we have the courage to do something.”
  
Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor are available here.