Statement From Everytown For Gun Safety President John Feinblatt on the On-Going Historic Sit-In by House Democrats Demanding a Vote on Gun Safety

WASHINGTON – Everytown for Gun Safety, the country’s largest gun violence prevention organization, today released the following statement on today’s historic Congressional sit-in and press conference demanding action by the U.S. House of Representatives before the Congressional recess, which starts Friday, June 24. Already today, more than 45,000 Americans have called Congress urging them to disarm hate by taking action to close the loopholes that allow dangerous people—including suspected terrorists—to get guns. Volunteers with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America are organizing on Capitol Hill, supporting the sit-in from the House gallery and spreading the #DisarmHate message on social media.

The sit-in and the press conference today come just two days after the U.S. Senate failed to close two critical gaps in our nation’s gun laws, including a deadly loophole that makes it easy for criminals to avoid background checks by purchasing guns from unlicensed sellers online and at gun shows and the Terror Gap, which allows suspected terrorists to legally purchase guns. The Everytown and Moms statement on the sit-in and press conference available here.

STATEMENT FROM JOHN FEINBLATT, PRESIDENT OF EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY:

“Leader Pelosi, Congressman Lewis, and dozens of their colleagues are showing extraordinary leadership today. And the American people are with them. A clear majority of the public backs common-sense reforms to our gun laws, and just since this morning, nearly 50,000 people have called Congress demanding a vote. No doubt the gun lobby’s allies will try to subvert the will of the people, but what we’re seeing on the House floor and Capitol steps today makes it clearer than ever – Americans want their representatives to buck the NRA, keep guns out of dangerous hands, and help save lives.”