Dan Gross, full remarks
WASHINGTON – Dan Gross, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, delivered the following remarks during a press call this afternoon, reacting to the Senate Democrats' press conference on gun violence.
"Senate Democrats said all the right things at their press conference this morning. Now we want to see those words followed by action. It can’t stop by simply launching a campaign to build public support and, as they put it, 'ramp up pressure on Congress.' They ARE Congress!
"First, let’s talk about the public support they are aiming to build – they already have it! A Quinnipiac poll conducted before the Oregon shooting found that 93 percent of Americans support background checks on all gun sales – only six percent opposed! In fact, 90 percent of GOP voters asked in this poll said they support expanding Brady background checks. So how much more public support do they think they are going to get?
"Second, this notion about about 'ramping up pressure on Congress' is an interesting one. The Senate is part of the Congress. And if a senator wants to force a vote on a bill they can find a way.
"We need a bill NOW and a vote NOW. Although I realize that they won't be back in until Monday, October 19.
"Last night Politico reported that Senate Democrats said 'the package is intended to show that Democrats are serious about reducing gun deaths but can’t make headway in a Republican Senate.'
"They said a lot of good things at the press conference today – we want to make sure they act on them because the American people have had enough.
"With 89 people dying every day from guns we don’t need more press conferences and impassioned floor speeches complaining that “we really want a vote but the Republicans won’t let us.” We need a bill and a vote.
"The Senators at the press conference today were right. The Republican leadership won’t agree to a vote on sensible gun reforms, so they need to force it – especially in the Senate where there are rules and procedures in place to protect the minority in exactly this type of situation. Things like amendments and filibusters.
"Is it hard? Yes. No one knows that more than former Senator Tom Coburn who earned the nickname 'Dr. No' because he wasn’t afraid to gum up the works to fight for what he believed in – even though he would certainly be on the wrong side of this issue.
"Our elected leaders need to be bold. We appreciate their vocal support on this issue, now they need to take action that goes beyond talking points, proposals and political posturing. The American people have had enough. It’s time for our elected leaders to rise to the occasion finish the job."
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