RELEASE: Speaker Paul Ryan Leaves for Two Week Recess, Still Has Not Addressed Gun Violence
It’s been over a month since the Parkland shooting, and Speaker Ryan has not allowed any gun safety legislation to come to the House floor for a vote
Washington, DC — Today, Giffords, the gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Captain Mark Kelly, blasted House Speaker Paul Ryan for adjourning the House of Representatives and leaving Washington, DC for a two week recess without bringing any legislation to the House floor that would address this country’s gun violence epidemic.
“Once again we see Speaker Paul Ryan more interested in playing politics than in addressing public safety,” said Peter Ambler, Executive Director at Giffords.“Americans are clamoring for action, demanding our elected leaders do something to address the gun violence epidemic that impacts every corner of our country. And yet Paul Ryan would rather leave town early than put legislation on the floor that would meaningfully address the gaps in our gun laws. Why? There can only be one answer: he’s more interested in cashing checks from the NRA than in keeping our children safe. I think the majority of Americans agree, and together we will work to hold him – and every elected official who blocks progress on this issue – accountable in November.”
There is overwhelming consensus from Americans, including Republicans and Democrats alike, that we can do more to make our communities safer from gun violence. But Republican leadership in Congress has refused to hold votes on any of the bipartisan pieces of legislation that are currently awaiting action in Congress–including bills to expand background checks, to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers, and to temporarily remove access to firearms by individuals in crisis, among others.
Giffords recently debuted an ad highlighting Speaker Ryan’s failed leadership on this issue, and launched the start of a political program for 2018 that included Speaker Ryan as one of the initial six on a #VoteThemOut list. This program will focus on incumbents in priority districts by shining a light on their record of prioritizing the interests of the gun industry over public safety, and encourage voters to support candidates with the courage to stand up to the gun lobby.
Related resources:
- Nine Policy Recommendations to Address Gun Violence
- Background Checks
- A Framework for Improving the Background Check System After Sutherland Springs
- Domestic Violence and Firearms
- Extreme Risk Protection Orders
- Gun Violence Research
- Giffords Bump Stocks Framework
- Trafficking and Straw Purchasing
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Giffords is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives from gun violence. Led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, Navy combat veteran and retired NASA astronaut Captain Mark Kelly, Giffords inspires the courage of people from all walks of life to make America safer.