Bonamici Applauds New Measures to Prevent Gun Violence

Congresswoman Calls on Congress to Take Action and Make Our Communities Safer

WASHINGTON, DC [01/05/16] – Today, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) made the following statement after President Obama unveiled executive actions to prevent gun violence:

“I applaud President Obama for taking commonsense steps to prevent gun violence by expanding background checks and increasing access to mental health treatment. These actions will help to keep guns out of the hands of known criminals and domestic abusers—without infringing on the right of any law-abiding individual to own firearms. We may not be able to prevent every tragedy stemming from gun violence, but we can do so much more to make our communities safer.

“After the tragedy at Oregon’s Umpqua Community College, President Obama promised to act to help prevent another mass shooting. The actions announced today are steps that will make our nation safer, but they are not enough. Congress must make gun violence prevention a priority. There is still more work to be done, including expanding background checks for all gun sales, limiting the size of gun magazines, and allowing researchers to study the effects of gun violence in our communities.

“Congress has a responsibility to protect and defend the American people, a majority of whom support commonsense legislation to reduce gun violence. We must honor the victims of gun violence and their families by passing meaningful laws that respect the Constitution and help to keep our communities safe.”