Congressman Dan Goldman Demands Speaker Johnson Bring Bipartisan Legislation to the Floor to Address Gun Violence Epidemic
Gun Violence is the Leading Cause of Death for Children and Teens Two Years in a Row
Since Former Speaker McCarthy’s Removal, 1,249 People Have Died, 2,174 Have Been Injured by Gun Violence
Read the Letter Here
Washington, DC – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) joined House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chair Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04), Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), and 89 other Task Force members in a letter urging Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson to address the gun violence crisis in America. The members are urging Speaker Johnson to use his new authority to bring bipartisan, commonsense gun safety legislation to the floor for a vote. During Speaker McCarthy’s tenure, not a single gun safety bill was brought to the House floor.
“Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teenagers in America,” the Members wrote. “Parents across our country now live with the reality that if their child dies, the most common reason for that death is not because of cancer or a car crash, but a bullet.”
Since October 3, 2023, the day Speaker McCarthy was vacated from his position, 1,249 people have died from gun violence, including 16 children and 78 teenagers. An additional 2,174 people have been injured due to gun violence. In these 27 days, there have been 51 mass shootings. Since the letter was sent to Speaker Johnson less than a week ago, 219 people have been killed and 102 have been injured by gun violence, including 1 child and 18 teenagers.
Throughout his term as Speaker, the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force had sent multiple letters to Congressman Kevin McCarthy (CA-20) urging him to take action on preventing further gun violence deaths. This year alone, there have been 580 mass shootings, and gun violence is now the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States.
“Although we can never get back the time that was wasted by the chaos caused by the lack of leadership in the House of Representatives, we must not let that dysfunction prevent us from working together to address the gun violence crisis moving forward,” the Members continue. “We suggest that the House first start by considering the numerous gun violence prevention bills that are supported by a majority of Democrats, Independents and Republicans.”
Read the letter here or below.
Dear Speaker Johnson,
As Members of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, we write with a somber update about the lives lost to gun violence while the U.S. Congress has been paralyzed without an elected Speaker of the House.
Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teenagers in America. Parents across our country now live with the reality that if their child dies, the most common reason for that death is not because of cancer or a car crash, but a bullet.
Since former Speaker McCarthy was removed from his leadership role on October 3rd 1,030 people have died from gun violence including 15 children and 60 teenagers. Another 2,072 people were injured by gun violence and our country was traumatized by 33 more mass shootings.
Although we can never get back the time that was wasted by the chaos caused by the lack of leadership in the House of Representatives, we must not let that dysfunction prevent us from working together to address the gun violence crisis moving forward. We suggest that the House first start by considering the numerous gun violence prevention bills that are supported by a majority of Democrats, Independents and Republicans.
The Gun Violence Prevention Task Force sent multiple letters to former Speaker McCarthy with the earnest request that the House take action on gun violence which is the largest killer of children. As you assume the responsibility of Speaker of the House, we stand ready to work with you on legislation that will reduce gun violence and urge you to commit to putting gun violence prevention legislation on the floor as soon as possible.
###