Senator Al Franken: 'We in Congress are failing the American people' [View all]

[kpete]

The investigation is ongoing and many details are still emerging, but we know this. The 49 men and women who lost their lives on Sunday night were murdered by a man with hate in his heart. Perhaps even hate directed within and with an assault weapon in his hand. Madam president, following each and every tragic shooting, one thought haunts me, and that is that we in Congress are failing the American people. We have failed to answer their repeated calls to address gun violence in this country. We have failed to take steps necessary to make our communities safer and as a result, we are complicit in creating the circumstances that give rise to these events. We can't pretend that this part isn't on us.


Now, our state of Minnesota has a proud tradition of responsible gun ownership. Generations of minnesotans have learned to hunt from their parents, their grandparents, their aunts and uncles, friends and neighbors. But when I speak to constituents on this issue, the message is clear: Minnesotans want congress to take commonsense steps to reduce gun violence and ensure their families' safety. There is a balance to be struck here, and I strongly believe that we are capable of striking that balance. The second amendment doesn't protect the rights of everyone to carry whatever weapon he likes in anyplace he wishes, for whatever purpose he wants. The second amendment does not entitle criminals, potential terrorists or people with serious mental illness to carry guns. It does not entitle Americans to own guns designed to slaughter scores of people in seconds.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/6/15/1539054/-Al-Franken-We-in-Congress-are-failing-the-American-people