On Wednesday, Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chair Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04), Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11) and 90 members of the Task Force delivered a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson urging him to take action on gun violence prevention.
“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,” the members wrote. “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.”
The letter’s statistics on shootings do not include the number of dead and injured in a Wednesday night shooting in Maine.
The full letter can be read 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.
Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties.
Thompson, Pelosi, Gun Violence Prevention Task Force members send letter to Speaker Johnson
- Lake County News reports
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