[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 199 (Monday, December 4, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S5700]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                          Assault Weapons Ban

  Madam President, on the assault weapons ban, later this week, I will 
join my Democratic colleagues here on the floor to ask unanimous 
consent to pass the assault weapons ban. I will come to the floor to 
try and pass the assault weapons ban because, right now, the scourge of 
gun violence in America is a national crisis.
  It wasn't always this way. After I led passage of the Brady Law and 
the assault weapons ban 30 years ago, America saw a significant 
decrease in mass shootings and gun deaths.
  It is simple: The assault weapons ban works. It saves lives. And one 
decade since the expiration of the ban, we need it more than ever.
  As of today, there have been more mass shootings than days in the 
year 2023.
  Let me say that again. As of today, there have been more mass 
shootings than days in 2023. And the American people are tired of 
fearing for their lives, their children's lives, their friends' lives 
every time people leave the house.
  The people of Lewiston, ME, where a gunman murdered 18 people at a 
bowling alley and restaurant with an assault rifle, are tired of 
fearing for their lives. The people of Allen, TX, where a gunman 
murdered eight people at a shopping mall with an assault rifle, are 
tired of fearing for their lives. The people of Louisville, KY, where a 
gunman murdered five people at a bank with an assault weapon, are tired 
of fearing for their lives.
  So when Democrats come to the floor this week, again, to pass the 
assault weapons ban and other gun safety legislation, I urge my 
Republican colleagues to stand with us. Stand with the American people. 
Stand against the gun lobby. Stand against gun violence.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant executive clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.