WASHINGTON,
D.C. – U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) called the House's failure
to pass gun legislation written by the National Rifle Association and the
gun lobby a victory for the American people. The House passed another
measure that would allow the posting of the Ten Commandments in public
buildings, including classrooms.
Schakowsky
said, "The House's answer to gun violence is Ten Commandments in
the classroom, while the Senate gave us common sense gun safety legislation."
After
an intense effort from the gun lobby, the House rejected amendments to
improve the legislation in order protect children and law enforcement officers,
instead leaving criminals with the ability to purchase firearms at gun
shows and weakening existing gun laws.
The
House failed to adopt the McCarthy amendment that would have provided law
enforcement with the same three business days to conduct background checks
at gun shows that they are now given when guns are bought in stores.
Instead, the House passed an amendment that reduces the time provided to
law enforcement to complete gun show purchaser background checks from three
business days to just 24 hours.
"This
bill was riddled with loopholes from the start. It is a disgrace
that the House failed last night to pass the McCarthy amendment to give
law enforcement officers three days to keep guns out of the hands of criminals.
Now that the House has rejected this bill, it is time to start again and
get it right," Schakowsky said.
"The
American people found out this week who calls the shots in the U.S. House
of Representatives – the gun lobby with its deep pockets. After all
the posturing and politics, children are no safer today than they were
yesterday. Our victory is that they are not at greater risk.
This is a sad commentary about the leadership in this House," Schakowsky
added.
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