[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 91 (Thursday, June 12, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H5322]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              GUN VIOLENCE

  (Ms. KELLY of Illinois asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Madam Speaker, in the past 3 weeks, our Nation 
experienced three shootings in Isla Vista, California; Las Vegas, 
Nevada; and Troutdale, Oregon, for which we remembered the victims with 
a moment of silence. These shootings that resulted in 14 senseless 
deaths received national media coverage and sparked a national 
discussion on the need for better mental health policy. Mental health 
is a factor, but only one factor, in the gun violence epidemic.
  In the same 3 weeks, 175 people were shot on the streets of Chicago, 
with a number of deaths. None of these shootings made national 
headlines, sparked a national debate, or received a congressional 
moment of silence. As a Nation, we have become unfazed by urban 
violence.
  But I am not asking for more silence. We have been silent enough. We 
need action. I have introduced three bills that promote commonsense gun 
reform and that don't infringe on Second Amendment rights. These bills 
would highlight the public health risk associated with gun violence, 
help the Consumer Product Safety Commission set gun safety standards, 
and prohibit high-risk individuals from possessing guns.
  I urge my colleagues to be a voice for American safety. Gun violence 
is more than mental, and Americans can no longer afford our silence. 
Lastly, I want to know just who and how many more must die or be shot 
before we take action?

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