Rep. Demings speaks forcefully in gun violence hearing

From the office of Rep. Val Demings

Today Rep. Val Demings, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, participated in a hearing on HR8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019. Rep. Demings is a cosponsor of the bill and has led efforts in Congress to pass meaningful legislation to prevent gun violence.

Video of her remarks can be found here.

Said Rep. Demings, “The energy today has been incredible. The young Americans, survivors, and other gun safety advocates who packed the committee room this morning are eager for action, and I and my Democratic colleagues are going to deliver with real solutions to protect our communities and our families. America’s young people deserve immense credit for showing our country that gun violence must be a national priority.

“27 years as a law enforcement officer taught me that guns in the wrong hands exponentially increase the danger to American families and my fellow officers. Law enforcement is a dangerous job. Last year, 52 law enforcement officers were shot and killed in the line of duty. Six have been shot and killed while on duty this year. These deaths are correlated with access to firearms. Loopholes in the law allow criminals easy access to guns, and that puts all of us—both officers and civilians alike—at risk.

“Background checks keep guns out of the hands of those who should not have them. Fixing the loopholes in our background check system is common sense, and more than 90% of Americans agree. This common-sense bill should be embraced by both Democrats and Republicans. It was President Reagan who said that legislation would be worth passing if it meant even small reductions in gun violence. My Republican colleagues should learn from his legacy.”