WASHINGTON, D.C. – Many of the people who spoke at the House Oversight Committee hearing Wednesday are calling for a ban on military-style assault rifles, high-capacity magazines, and stricter background checks.
The lawmakers hearing their pleas continue to be divided on the issue.
Students, parents, and advocates are directing their emotional testimony on Capitol Hill at lawmakers who have the power to bring change. The question is: will they?
“I’m optimistic that there is a path forward for legislation that would make a significant difference, that is worth our time and our effort and our support,” said Senator Chris Coons, a Democrat from Delaware.
“Our second amendment is an important tool in securing our individual rights to self defense,” Representative James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, said. “Knee-jerk reactions to impose gun control policies that seek to curtail our Constitutional right to bear arms is not the answer.”
The call for gun reform this week centers around
- A ban on military-style assault weapons, like the AR-15
- Outlawing high-capacity magazines
- Increasing the age to buy rifles from 18 to 21
- Bolstering background checks on gun purchases
- All while respecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners
The issues are currently before the House Oversight Committee, which includes Republicans and Democrats from Florida and Georgia.
On the right:
Representatives Byron Donalds, Jody Hice, Scott Franklin and Andrew Clyde
On the left:
Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Hank Johnson
Florida Republican Congressman Clyde tweeting: “Democrats’ empty promise proposals will do NOTHING to deter dangerous criminals and disturbed individuals from carrying out evil acts of violence.”
Congressman Hank Johnson, a Democrat from Georgia, posted: “Protecting our kids is more important than protecting the gun industry. That’s why the overwhelming majority of Americans support common sense gun reform.”
Democrats and Republicans in the Senate are currently in negotiations on a possible package of gun reform bills.
Those talks could wrap up by the end of the week.
News4JAX reached out to local members of Congress for their take on the debate.
Congressman Al Lawson issued this statement:
“I support raising the purchasing age of semi-automatic weapons from 18 to 21 years old. There is no reason for young people to possess assault weapons that are used in the military. AR-15 rifles are not used for hunting. If the Protecting Our Kids Act was implemented years ago it could have saved many lives including those in the Buffalo and Uvalde shooting massacres. Background checks are very necessary for individuals who want to purchase firearms. To be clear, this policy is not an attack on our Second Amendment, it is common-sense legislation that protects the lives of Americans.”
Congressman Buddy Carter, who represents southeast Georgia, responded with this lengthy statement:
“Our children deserve to feel safe in schools. I’m a father and a grandfather - there is nothing more important to me than the safety and wellbeing of our nation’s youth.
“As public officials, it is our responsibility to ensure that our actions don’t just have good intentions but have good outcomes. That is why the Senate is currently engaged in bipartisan negotiations on school safety measures, and I look forward to the outcome of those talks. The House, on the other hand, is rushing to enact sweeping measures that will only restrict law-abiding citizens’ access to gun ownership.
“We need to get at the heart of the violence crippling our nation. That means properly funding our police departments and mental health services. Fortunately, the Energy and Commerce Committee recently advanced bills that would strengthen our school’s mental health programs, so that evil is identified and treated before it leads to the loss of life. I understand the need to protect students. I understand the importance of our second amendment. By calling the bipartisan Energy and Commerce bills to a vote, we have the power to do both.”