McCarthy Responds to Senate Gun Safety Vote

The Senate Judiciary Committee passed a bill to enhance school safety and progressed on its work to ensure universal background checks for gun sales Tuesday, ahead of impending compromise legislation on background checks currently being worked on. 

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-4th District, the sponsor of life-saving legislation to require a background check for every gun sale and ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, issued the following statement about today’s progress:

“I’m glad that measures calling for a background check for every gun sale and to improve school safety found support in the Senate Judiciary Committee [Tuesday] and look forward to upcoming votes on restrictions on assault weapons and impending compromise legislation that’s being worked on as well.

“Today’s votes against gun safety reforms show, unfortunately, just how difficult it is to get Members of Congress to vote the people’s conscience.  Over 90 percent of Americans want a background check for every gun sale, but this and other measures to reduce gun violence that I sponsor in the House – like restrictions on assault weapons and better mental health and criminal record reporting – won’t happen unless the American people speak up to their elected officials and hold them accountable.

“Even after tragedies as horrific as the shootings in Newtown, Aurora, Oak Creek and Tucson, we need the American people’s advocacy now more than ever.”