‘Simply Unacceptable’: 145 CEOs Demand Senate Action on Gun Violence - Do You?

by Causes | 9.12.19

What’s the story?

• 145 business leaders sent a letter to members of the Senate on Thursday, urging the GOP-controlled chamber to pass gun-control legislation.

What are they saying?

CEOs

"We are writing to you because we have a responsibility and obligation to stand up for the safety of our employees , customers and all Americans in the communities we serve across the country. Doing nothing about America's gun violence crisis is simply unacceptable and it is time to stand with the American public on gun safety."

• “As leaders of some of America’s most respected companies and those with significant business interests in the United States, we are writing to you because we have a responsibility and obligation to stand up for the safety of our employees, customers and all Americans in the communities we serve across the country,” the executives wrote.

“Doing nothing about America’s gun violence crisis is simply unacceptable and it is time to stand with the American public on gun safety."

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)

"What I've said consistently is, 'Let's see if we can actually make a law here.’ And making a law when you have divided government is challenging. We all have different points of view."

What bills did the House pass?

The House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday passed a trio of gun control bills after a lengthy markup hearing, including a ban on magazines with more than 10 rounds of ammunition and a so-called “red flag law”.

The three gun control bills passed along party-line votes, and here’s a look at each.

• H.R. 1186 - Keep Americans Safe Act: This bill would ban “high capacity” ammunition magazines which carry more than 10 rounds. It has the support of 141 Democratic cosponsors. The Keep Americans Safe Act passed on a party-line vote of 23-16.
• H.R. 1236 - Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2019 (includes provisions of H.R. 3076): This bill would provide grants to states to adopt laws providing for Extreme Risk Protection Orders to prevent those deemed a risk to themselves or others from accessing firearms, and establish procedures for obtaining ERPOs in federal court. H.R. 1236 has been cosponsored by 176 Democrats and two Republicans while H.R. 3076 has the support of 98 Democratic cosponsors. The Extreme Risk Protection Order Act passed on a party-line vote of 22-16.
• H.R. 2708 - Disarm Hate Act: This bill would make people convicted of misdemeanor hate crimes ineligible for gun ownership. It has the support of 142 Democratic cosponsors. The Disarm Hate Act passed on a party-line vote of 23-15.

What do you think?

Do you support "common-sense, bipartisan” gun laws? Do you support any – or all – of the above bills? Take action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman

(Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore / Flickr)