ICYMI — Neguse, Lawmakers Highlight Trump’s Silence on Gun Violence at the State of the Union

Washington D.C.— Today, following President Trump’s utter silence on gun violence at the State of the Union last night, Representatives Joe Neguse, Lucy McBath, Ted Deutch, Mike Thompson, Tom Suozzi and gun violence prevention activists gathered in front of the Capitol to highlight the gun violence epidemic and the need for tangible action.

Attendees:

• Rep. Joe Neguse (CO-02), member of the House Judiciary Committee
• Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06), member of the House Judiciary Committee
• Rep. Ted Deutch (FL-22), member of the House Judiciary Committee
• Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05), Chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force
• Rep. Tom Suozzi (NY-03)
• Tom Mauser, the father of Daniel Mauser who was killed at the Columbine massacre over 20 years ago, guest of Rep. Joe Neguse for the State of the Union.
• Linda Beigel Schulman, who lost her son in the Parkland shooting, guest of Rep. Tom Suozzi.
• Tina Meins, Program Manager for the Everytown Survivor Network; Tina's father, Damian Meins, was shot and killed by one of his co-workers during the terrorist attack at the Department of Public Health training event and Christmas party in San Bernardino, CA on December 2, 2015.
• Tatiana Washington, March for Our Lives Advocacy Associate; Tatiana is a freshman at Trinity University who lost her aunt to gun violence.
• Sheila E. Isong, Engagement Director at Giffords: Courage to Fight Gun Violence

Photos from the Press Conference can be downloaded here.

“In 2019, there were more mass shootings than days in the year. This is not normal, and yet we heard not a word from President Trump last night about an epidemic that is taking our children too early, leaving families and communities wrecked to pick up the pieces,” said Rep. Joe Neguse, who grew up in the shadows of the Columbine shooting and brought Tom Mauser, the father of Daniel Mauser who was killed at Columbine to the State of the Union. “It’s been 20 years since Columbine. Individuals like Tom, individuals across our country should not have to wait any longer for their leaders in Washington to acknowledge the devastation and grief the gun violence epidemic is having on our nation.”

“Too often we are told that we must accept all of these gun violence tragedies in our country, we are told that instead of changing our laws we must have more active shooter drills in our schools. More 6-year-olds are asked to decide for themselves whether they are more likely to survive if they are hiding in a closet in their classroom or if they should rush the gunman,” said Rep. Lucy McBath. “I refuse to accept that, Congress refuses to accept that, the American people refuse to accept that.”

“We have a bill that can help,” said Rep. Mike Thompson, Chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. “H.R. 8. It's coming up to its one year anniversary of passing the House and it’s stuck in the Senate on Mitch McConnell's desk. Mitch McConnell needs to do his job. He needs to bring this bill up for a vote. If it passes, it will save lives. And that is why we’re all here all here today, to save lives. To make our communities better.”

“We need to do everything we can to prevent gun violence,” said Rep. Ted Deutch. “We need to do everything we can to be there for these families to ensure that no one should fear for his or her life in school or at a concert or on the playground or literally walking down the street. We have to make sure the Senate does its job. To make sure the President actually stands up and remembers what he said in the days after the Parkland shooting when background checks, he even acknowledged, would help save lives. We need to pass that bill.”

“More than 100,000 people in America have been killed by gun violence since President Trump took office. Yet, the President mentioned nothing about addressing the gun violence health epidemic that is plaguing our country in his State of the Union address,” said Rep. tom Suozzi. “The House of Representatives passed a bipartisan background check bill almost one year ago, but Mitch McConnell has refused to put it up for a vote. Hearing my guest, Linda Beigal Schulman, speak about these issues continues to inspire me to fight each and every day for gun violence prevention legislation. Lives depend on it.”

“A lot of people have said, nothing has changed has it? That’s not entirely true, something has changed. People have changed, opinions have changed. As we heard, 90% of Americans support background checks,” said Tom Mauser, who lost his son Daniel Mauser at the Columbine shooting and attended the State of the Union as Rep. Neguse’s guest.

“There are no survivors of preventable gun violence,” said Linda Beigel Schulman, who lost her son in the Parkland shooting and joined Rep. Suozzi at the State of the Union. “We are all victims. I am a victim, I have no bullet wounds, I was not shot, I have no scars, except for inside but I am a victim and my life will never be the same.”

“You didn’t hear about our nation’s gun violence crisis during last night’s State of the Union, nor did you hear that more than 100,000 Americans have been killed by gun violence since President Trump took office. And twice that many have been wounded,” said Tina Meins, Program Manager for the Everytown Survivor Network. “That’s thousands of families who, just like mine, waited for their loved ones to come home and instead found only heartbreak and sorrow.”

“Young people like myself are fed up. Globally and nationally, we are pissed off,” said Tatiana Washington, March for Our Lives Advocacy Associate. “We see what happens every single day on our street corners, in shopping malls, on playgrounds, in schools and bars. We are tired of constantly living in fear.”