[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 110 (Friday, June 23, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H3132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        ADDRESSING GUN VIOLENCE

  (Mr. TONKO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to address the epidemic of gun 
violence our country is experiencing.
  On average each year gun violence in America kills some 43,000 people 
and injures around 76,000 more.
  Over and over, our communities are left reeling from senseless 
tragedy, stuck in a devastating cycle of violence. We can no longer 
allow this level of pain to be our normal. Change must happen and 
happen now.
  I am proud to have signed the discharge petitions to bring essential 
gun violence prevention legislation to the House floor, including the 
Assault Weapons Ban, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, and the 
Enhanced Background Checks Act.
  These are rational and commonsense bills. They are not about taking 
away rights. They are about protecting our children, families, and 
communities. They are about taking the fear out of the every day.
  Going to school, the grocery store, or even making a wrong turn 
should not be a death sentence. Our communities deserve better, and I 
vow to continue to fight for long overdue action to address gun 
violence in our beloved country.

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