[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 123 (Tuesday, July 18, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H3686]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      GUN VIOLENCE IS AN EPIDEMIC

  (Ms. SCHRIER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. SCHRIER. Mr. Speaker, I am here today to speak about the epidemic 
of gun violence that continues to plague our country. In fact, gun 
violence is now the leading cause of death for children.
  As a pediatrician, I understand that we have to look at this as a 
public health crisis and work on multiple levels to keep our children 
and communities safe from gun violence.
  I am focused on pragmatic solutions and proud that both parties came 
together last Congress to take some commonsense steps to keep guns away 
from people who are likely to pose a danger and to address the mental 
health crisis in this country that has led to higher rates of firearm 
suicide.
  There is more to do, and I invite my Republican colleagues to join us 
to enhance background checks and close loopholes that allow some people 
to buy guns without a background check, to increase funding for 
research so that we can make evidence-based decisions in our 
legislation, and to incentivize safe storage because children should 
not have access to their parents' weapons.
  There are areas where we worked together last Congress, and we can do 
more.
  Not a single Republican Member of Congress lost their race last year 
because they voted for commonsense safe gun ownership laws. We can do 
more to protect children and communities, and we should do it together.

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