We wake up virtually every day to the news of another mass shooting. Last Sunday, word of 49 killed, bringing the death toll to more than 6,000 people killed by guns so far in 2016.
Gun homicides are a common cause of death in the United States, and our community is no different. From 2012–2014, more than 2,400 Hoosiers were killed by guns. This fact is even more startling when you consider that it surpasses the number killed in traffic accidents.
This is not an anomaly. It’s a direct result of our negligence. Our failure to address gun violence in Congress is costing thousands of innocent lives.
Today, practically anyone can purchase an arsenal of weapons, designed for military use, that are powerful enough to gun down dozens of victims in minutes. Even people who have committed violent acts and those with serious mental illness are able to purchase assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition clips.
Protecting our constitutional right to bear arms does not mean giving free reign for dangerous people to purchase the deadliest weapons on the market. We need to stop hiding behind laws that fail to protect innocent people. It is long past time to take a comprehensive look at our gun laws.
Now is the time to enact strong legislative measures to curb gun violence, including reinstating an assault weapons ban and instituting new restrictions on gun trafficking.
In Indiana, we understand the risk posed by unsafe drivers, so we require them to be trained and licensed. We register the vehicle, and we re-register it when it is transferred to a new owner.
But despite more people dying from guns than traffic accidents, Indiana has no licensing, training or registration requirements for firearms. Guns can change hands and are entirely untraceable. Criminals can obtain guns from a private citizen with no background check and no waiting period.
It is time for Congress to overcome partisanship and bring these lifesaving gun reform measures to a vote. I will continue to push every day for passage of these common-sense proposals. Congress’ silence is not acceptable. Families in Orlando and across the country deserve better.
