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We end the third week of January with three mass shootings. We have had 33 mass shootings since the beginning of 2023. What will next week be like?
While families and friends mourn their loved ones and offer comfort to those injured, the public debate around gun violence continues to swirl. One thing still remains clear: there will never be peace in our communities until we have a federal law banning assault weapons.
California has strict gun laws, yet it didn’t stop the shooting. Following his state's mass shootings, California Governor Gavin Newsom implored: “Where’s the Republican Party? One state can’t do it alone.”
California gun laws may have prevented other shootings, but good enough is not enough. Illinois now has an assault weapons ban, but its neighboring states do not, and guns pour into Illinois from states with weak gun laws.
“When there is a patchwork of laws and protections to various degrees across states, then clearly there are vulnerabilities,” said Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA). That is why it is important to elect candidates to Congress, like Padilla, that will support efforts to enact federal common sense gun laws. Strong federal laws will ensure that every citizen in every state will have the same protection from weapons of war.
This week an assault weapons ban was introduced in the Senate. An critical part of the bill is the ban on magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. Extended magazines allow shooters to quickly fire numerous bullets without needing to reload.
JAC is proud of our candidates, Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Chris Murphy (D-CT), who introduced that bill, along with Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) who will introduce a companion bill in the House next week.
JAC candidates are playing an important role in leading efforts to pass common sense gun laws. Newly elected JAC candidate, Rep. Jeff Jackson (D-NC), joins other JAC candidates serving on the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.
What can you do?
Cosponsors are needed on the recently introduced Senate assault weapons bill. Call the Senators listed below at 202-224-3121 and ask them to co-sponsor the ban.
Maria Cantrell (D-WA)
Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV)
Joe Manchin (D-WV)
Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
Mark Kelly (D-AZ)
Krysten Sinema (D-AZ)
Angus King (D-ME)
Jon Ossoff (D-GA)
We can’t wait one more moment. Weapons of war do not belong in our streets.
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