Congresswoman Beatty Calls for Action on Gun Violence

Congresswoman Beatty Calls for Action on Gun Violence

Today, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) joined House Democrats to call for greater Congressional action on gun violence. Congresswoman Beatty's statement printed in the Congressional Record is as follows:

I would like to thank my good friend and colleague, Congresswoman Robin Kelly for tonight's special order hour on gun violence. Congresswoman Kelly is a stalwart leader against gun violence and serves as a visible, out-front advocate for putting an end to the gun violence epidemic.

Far too many children, families, and communities have been devastated and destroyed by a gun inappropriately in the hands of a shooter. We have seen far too many deaths, too many young African-Americans with guns, too many killed by guns. My district in Central Ohio has seen an alarming rise in gun violence. Just this week, Columbus saw its 130^th homicide of the year, which is closing in on an all-time record. We can and must do better.

I stand with Congresswoman Kelly in her relentless efforts, calling on the Congress to honor victims through action. We can join together to pass commonsense gun laws – background checks; no fly-no buy; and safety locks.

Gun violence is a health epidemic – one that we cannot address in isolation. We must fund mental health programs, we must address the needs of urban communities, and we must provide sustainable community and economic development initiatives to reduce violence – like community policing coupled with commonsense gun reforms.

Tonight, Congresswoman Kelly puts a face on the victims of gun violence. I join and salute her for reading the names of victims. As we read the names, let us remember that gun violence isn't a Democrat or Republican issue – it is an American issue requiring an American solution.