Congress: Whose side are you on – The people’s or terrorists’?

June 17, 2016

MADISON – Following U.S. Senator Christopher Murphy’s (D-CT) filibuster this week, Rep. Terese Berceau (D-Madison), Rep. Melissa Sargent (D-Madison), Rep. Lisa Subeck (D-Madison), and Rep. Chris Taylor (D-Madison) released the following joint statement:

Senator Murphy’s filibuster yesterday revealed that there is a path forward. We collectively call on Congress to approve banning gun sales to people on terror watch lists and closing background check loopholes. We hope Rep. Paul Ryan has the courage to stand up to the death grip of the NRA. Criminals should not have the easy access to firearms that they currently do. Meaningful policy surrounding the accessibility of military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines also needs to be addressed at the federal level. The massacres in Orlando, Newtown, Aurora, San Bernardino, and the countless other mass shootings that occur on a seemingly almost daily basis show vividly that we can and must do better.

At the state level, we are not going to cease our efforts should Congress refuse to act. We call for political accountability and action on the following commonsense pieces of legislation that a vast majority of Wisconsinites favor:

• Restoring the 48-Hour Waiting Period – Requires a 48-hour waiting period for handgun purchases, which
  has been shown to reduce suicide and domestic violence.
• Expansion of Background Checks – Ends the free pass criminals and abusers enjoy by buying their guns
  through private transactions.
• No Fly, No Buy – Ensures suspected terrorists on the no fly list cannot purchase firearms. 

We must do everything we can at the national and state level to stem this epidemic of senseless gun violence that devastates families and communities. We must act now.