WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres (NY-15) today issued the following statement on President Biden’s latest actions to reduce gun violence in America and make communities safer:

“Earlier today, President Biden took executive action aiming to increase the number of background checks on people trying to buy guns – bringing us the closest our country has ever been to implementing universal background checks without any new legislation. He also acted to keep more guns out of the hands of particularly dangerous people by increasing more effective uses of ‘red flag’ laws.

Given the fact that we’ve already seen more than 100 mass shootings so far this year, I commend President Biden for championing common-sense gun safety measures – that are in line with what a vast majority of Americans want – and doing everything he can within his power to try and reduce gun violence, save lives, and make our communities safer.

But let’s also be clear – shootings you don’t see on the news are still a daily occurrence in too many neighborhoods with too many lives still being lost to senseless gun violence.

Congress must come together to act to address this country’s deadly gun violence epidemic – now the leading cause of death for American children and teenagers. We must hold the gun industry accountable and pass a national ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines once and for all.

It’s not just the responsible thing to do. It’s our moral obligation.”

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