WASHINGTON — In response to last month’s tragic mass shooting in Buffalo, New York Democrats passed a package of life-saving gun safety reforms that would strengthen red-flag laws, prohibit the purchase of body armor for those not working in a profession that requires it, and require a license to purchase a semiautomatic rifle. Despite calls from Democrats, Texas Republicans have still not acted in the wake of the Uvalde school shooting that left 21 dead. In 2021, after a series of mass shootings in the state, Republicans actually watered down gun safety in the state, allowing permitless carry of guns. This blatant disregard for human life not only makes our communities less safe but is actively making it easier for dangerous people to carry a gun. In this time of crisis, Democrats are heeding the calls for change and delivering results. Meanwhile, Republican state lawmakers are putting our communities at risk, blocking commonsense reforms, and valuing the gun lobby, which has spent millions lobbying, over American lives.
“In typical GOP fashion, the Republican Party is refusing to act to save lives and choosing to make our communities less safe,” said DLCC President Jessica Post. “Democrats are stepping up to the challenge and putting the gun lobby on notice. New York Democrats took decisive action to answer the calls from their constituents and passed comprehensive common-sense gun reforms. Mass shootings are preventable tragedies, and as we have seen time and time again, only the Democratic-led legislatures are willing to do what it takes to save American lives.”
While congressional gridlock continues to stall national progress on gun safety, Democratic legislatures across the nation are taking action. State Democrats are using their power to implement common-sense gun safety reforms that are the most effective way to protect American lives and end senseless gun violence. Since the shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde, Democratic lawmakers across the country have proposed gun safety reforms.
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