[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 109 (Thursday, July 7, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H4481-H4482]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION

  (Mr. LANGEVIN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, 2 weeks ago, I joined my colleagues in an 
historic sit-in on the House floor, demanding action on gun violence in 
the wake of yet another mass shooting. Since then, I have heard from 
hundreds of Rhode Islanders who, like over 80 percent of Americans and 
a high percentage of gun owners themselves, support our efforts for 
commonsense legislation to keep guns out of the wrong hands and to 
address this public health crisis.
  Frustratingly, sadly, and inconceivably, Republican leaders in this 
Chamber continue to ignore the demands of the American people and, most 
especially and sadly, continue to ignore the pleas of so many victims 
of gun violence and their families.
  Republicans trot out old, tired arguments, saying that we oppose the 
Second Amendment, that we oppose due process, that backgrounds checks 
are ineffective. Mr. Speaker, these assertions are simply not true. But 
rather than allow an open debate and a vote, Republicans continue to 
follow the playbook of the gun lobby.
  But, Mr. Speaker, we will not allow silence to fill that void of 
leadership.

[[Page H4482]]

Until the House acts on meaningful gun violence prevention legislation, 
my colleagues and I will continue to speak for Americans who demand 
action. We will be silent no more.

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