Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
06.23.22
WASHINGTON, DC – Ahead of a vote this week on the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) delivered remarks on the Senate floor calling for the passage of this legislation, which would reduce the threat of gun violence, protect our children and help keep schools safe. The bipartisan bill is a significant breakthrough on gun safety legislation after nearly three decades without major progress.
“For far too long, Americans have grappled with an epidemic of gun violence that has taken lives, and shattered families and communities in my home state of Michigan and across the country,” said Senator Peters. “These shootings and attacks not only cause unimaginable pain and grief for victims and their families, but terrorize entire communities that must cope with the lasting effects of unspeakable tragedy in their schools, theatres, houses of worship, and other public places. There is no one easy solution to address this matter, but Americans deserve to feel safe where they live, where they work, learn, shop, and pray – and these senseless acts of violence occur far too often.”
To watch video of Senator Peters’ remarks on the Senate floor, click here.
“After nearly three decades without major progress, we are on the verge — the verge — of a significant breakthrough as we consider the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act,” continued Senator Peters. “This legislation will take important steps to address gun violence, improve school safety and increase mental health resources. There is no question that this legislation could have included additional measures that are overwhelmingly supported by the majority of the American people but this a significant step forward. We cannot let the perfect be the enemy of the good. This bill will help protect our children, our schools, and our communities. And by passing this bill we can make needed progress right now.”
To view a fact-sheet on the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, click here.
Below are Senator Peters’ remarks, as delivered:
“Mr. President, for far too long Americans have grappled with an epidemic of gun violence that has taken lives, and shattered families and communities in my home state of Michigan as well as all across the country.
“These shootings and attacks not only cause unimaginable pain and grief for victims and their families but terrorize entire communities that must cope with the lasting effects of unspeakable tragedy in their schools, theatres, houses of worship and other public places.
“There is no one easy solution to address this matter but Americans deserve to feel safe where they live, where they work, learn, shop, and pray – and these senseless acts of violence occur far too often.
“From the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre of young students and school staff, to the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Tree of Life Synagogue shootings that killed Americans simply practicing their faith, to the deadly, hateful and heinous attacks at Pulse Nightclub, and a grocery store in Buffalo — gun violence has left no corner of our country untouched.
“In Michigan, sadly, we know all too well the terror and the devastation caused by gun violence. Late last year, in Oxford, Michigan a horrific shooting unfolded at Oxford High School.
“In a matter of just mere minutes, a routine school day at Oxford High turned into a scene of chaos and heartbreak when a gunman, a 15-year-old classmate, opened fire inside the school taking four young lives and wounding seven other people. That attack forever changed the lives of the students, teachers, staff, and shattered the assumption that schools are a safe haven.
“Oxford High School students and the entire community have been resilient. But as they continue to process the shooting and work to heal from it, those emotional wounds again reopened for many when they watched yet another horrific scene play out at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas where 19 young students and two teachers were murdered.
“Schools are supposed to be a safe haven, parents and family members should not live in fear that their children, or their loved ones who are at work, won’t return home at the end of that school day.
“While there is no single solution to end the gun violence epidemic, for far too long partisan gridlock has prevented Congress from advancing commonsense legislation that can save lives.
“For decades politics have stood in the way of progress. That’s despite 90 percent of the American people, including a majority of Republican voters, supporting commonsense steps like expanding background checks.
“In today’s partisan environment, it’s tough to get consensus but that just shows how much support there is to getting something done.
“This should not be a partisan issue. We know that many responsible gun owners across our country support gun safety legislation.
“I am a gun owner. I enjoy hunting, as do so many in Michigan, and I know that we can pass measures to improve public safety, while protecting the rights of law-abiding citizens.
“After nearly three decades without major progress, we are on the verge — the verge — of a significant breakthrough as we consider the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.
“This legislation will take important steps to address gun violence, improve school safety and increase mental health resources.
“There’s no question that this legislation could have included additional measures that are overwhelmingly supported by the majority of the American people but this is still a significant step forward. We cannot let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
“This bill will help protect our children, our schools and our communities. And by passing this bill we can make needed progress right now.
“Right now, with this legislation we can strengthen background checks for gun buyers under the age of 21 and keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people who simply should not have them.
“This includes providing critical support for red flag laws at the state level to ensure deadly weapons are kept out of the hands of individuals whom a court has determined to be a significant danger to themselves or to others.
“Right now, we can offer protections to victims of domestic violence by adding convicted abusers in dating relationships to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
“Right now, we can crack down on criminals who illegally evade licensing requirements.
“Right now, we can increase funding for school safety to institute safety measures in and around schools and support school violence prevention efforts.
“Right now, we can improve access to essential mental health care resources, which school safety advocates and violence prevention professionals agree is key to providing an early opportunity for intervention by investing in school based health services to support those impacted by traumatic events.
“I’m grateful to my colleague Senator Stabenow who has led the charge to ensure this legislation includes proven, effective initiatives that will strengthen mental health services.
“I urge my colleagues to work together to pass this legislation and encourage the House of Representatives to quickly do the same and send it to the President to be signed into law.
“But know this: the bottom line is that our work to save lives and protect public safety must not end here.
“We must continue to come together and address this very real threat that is hurting communities all across the country. When we face difficult challenges and crises here in our country, we persevere because ultimately come together as one.
“Let’s channel this spirit and come together for every American before the next school, the next family and the next community is shattered.”
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