[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 27, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E237-E238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              GUN VIOLENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. MARCIA L. FUDGE

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 26, 2018

  Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to find 
the courage to take action and eradicate gun violence in America.
  While our children and families demand a vote on commonsense 
legislation to keep our communities safe, my Republican colleagues 
continue to turn their backs.
  Since the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary, the House has observed 42 
moments of silence--tonight makes 43--to honor victims of gun violence, 
but no meaningful action has been taken to strengthen our gun laws. 
After every mass shooting we offer our thoughts and prayers to the 
victims, their families, and first responders. Our thoughts and prayers 
are not enough. A moment of silence is not enough.
  In the past decade, more than one million Americans have been shot. 
Every day, on average at least 35 Americans are killed with a gun and 
nearly 33,000 die each year from gun-related violence.
  In my home state of Ohio, someone is killed with a gun every eight 
hours. This is unacceptable. There are no moments of silence on

[[Page E238]]

the House Floor for these victims, and Congress is doing nothing to 
protect the next victim.
  The White House and the National Rifle Association claim mental 
illness is to blame for this latest tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas 
High School in Parkland, Florida, and that arming teachers will keep 
our children safe. Republicans cannot claim that mental illness is to 
blame, when they simultaneously cut funding for mental health 
treatment, undermine American's health insurance, and strip schools of 
resources needed to employ guidance counselors, social workers and/or 
more teachers to reduce class sizes and give students more individual 
attention.
  The NRA claims any sensible action to strengthen our gun laws is an 
attack on the 2nd Amendment and the rights of gun owners. Nothing could 
be further from the truth. Democrats and Republicans must work together 
on meaningful reform to keep guns out of the hands of criminals, 
domestic abusers, and individuals in crisis.
  Recent polls show that 97 percent of gun owners approve of background 
checks for all gun purchases, including those made at gun shows and 
through private sales. According to the Pew Research Center, 33 percent 
of gun owners oppose the NRA's prescription to make schools safer by 
arming teachers.
  As I've said before, all citizens have a right to basic safety and 
life itself. Our families should not fear the possible massacre of 
their children in school or on playgrounds. Everyone should be able to 
go to a concert or place of worship and not confront a shooter armed 
with high capacity ammunition magazines and a weapon of mass 
destruction. It is up to all of us to protect our communities, schools, 
workplaces, and places of worship from senseless gun violence.
  I have been encouraged by the courageous young people speaking out 
and taking action to effect change. I hope my Republican colleagues are 
listening.
  Every day Congress fails to strengthen our gun laws, we are complicit 
in the violence that takes place in our nation. We can and must do more 
to end gun violence.

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