Congressman Morgan McGarvey Convenes Congressional Progressive Caucus Special Order Hour on Gun Violence in Communities
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 30, 2023) – On Thursday, March 29th, Congressman Morgan McGarvey (KY-03) led his Congressional Progressive Caucus colleagues in a Special Order Hour on the increase of gun violence in communities across the country. Following the most recent school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, Rep. McGarvey urged his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do more to address gun violence. Reps. Summer Lee (D-PA) and Jonathan Jackson (D-IL) joined and spoke on this topic.
“We must look at legislation and action so that there are no more school shootings, and we don’t have to comfort families who have lost their kids, who simply went to school,” said Rep. McGarvey. “There are things we can and should do, common sense reforms that will keep our kids and our people safe. Let’s start with universal background checks. 90 percent of the American public wants us to have background checks to buy a firearm in this country. You have to get a background check so that we know you’re not in crisis or otherwise unable to buy a firearm. But instead, we see extremists in the other party willing to put gun manufacturers over people.”
“This is not normal,” said Rep. Summer Lee. “Active shooters aren’t normal. Shooting hoaxes aren’t normal. The evacuations and active shooting drills aren’t normal. There’s nothing about this that is normal. Guns are the leading cause of death for children between the ages of one and 18. Not car crashes, not illnesses or accidents; it’s guns.”
Over one in four parents report their children hearing gunshots at home, and one in five parents say their children's mental health has been negatively affected,” said Rep. Jackson. “It is our responsibility as lawmakers and leaders to bring forth meaningful change. We must start by implementing comprehensive background checks, closing the gun show loophole, and investing in mental health services for those affected by gun violence.”
To watch the full Special Order Hour, please click here.
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Congressman Morgan McGarvey represents Kentucky’s Third Congressional District, including Louisville and Jefferson County. He serves on the House Veterans Affairs and House Small Business Committees.