Durbin Joins Schumer In Attempt To Pass The Assault Weapons Ban On The Senate Floor
Floor Speech
"Since 2020, the United States has suffered from over 600 mass shootings every year, almost two a day. I ask those who are listening to my remarks to reflect on one fact: there is no other country on Earth not engaged in active war where this type of killing occurs on a daily basis. In Highland Park and communities across America, shooters have used military-style assault weapons to cause irreversible harm in just a matter of minutes.
I listened to my friend from Wyoming object to the effort to bring this legislation to the floor and cite the fact that we are being disrespectful to gun owners. He made reference to ranchers and farmers in his state and how it's important for them to have firearms. I don't quarrel with that. But I do have to ask in all seriousness, 83 rounds in 60 seconds? That's what a farmer needs? That's what a rancher needs? I think not. This is a military weapon designed to kill people. That's it--designed to kill massive numbers of people. I don't think that's part of farming or ranching in modern America.
It is madness that firearms are now the leading cause of death of children in the United States. Firearms, the leading cause of death of children in the United States of America. Mass shootings with assault weapons are a uniquely American phenomena. Continuing to allow firearms meant for war to be used on our streets is disgraceful. Last year, Congress took critical steps on gun safety reform with the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, but we must do more. When a shooter is armed with an assault weapon, the number of deaths in a mass shooting is on average twice as high. If we can prevent that many deaths when these tragedies strike by passing an assault weapons ban, what are we waiting for?
After Highland Park, I said that I hoped for our children's sake that we don't run away from the problem. That community and so many others are counting on us to stand up and to face this issue head on. I urge my colleagues to unite to do what is right for the safety of the American people. Let's pass the Assault Weapons Ban."
Source