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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Peter Hamm, 202-289-5792, phamm@bradymail.org

Statement On House Vote That Threatens Public Safety in Nation's Capital

Paul
Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, issued
the following statement about the House of Representatives' vote to
second-guess the District of Columbia's elected officials and
substitute their own views on the appropriate local gun laws in the
Nation's Capital:

"This legislation will endanger public safety in a city that is already a target for terrorists. It
will allow dangerous people to stockpile dangerous weapons and it will
make it harder for the people of D.C. to combat gun violence in their
community.

WASHINGTON

Paul
Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, issued
the following statement about the House of Representatives' vote to
second-guess the District of Columbia's elected officials and
substitute their own views on the appropriate local gun laws in the
Nation's Capital:

"This legislation will endanger public safety in a city that is already a target for terrorists. It
will allow dangerous people to stockpile dangerous weapons and it will
make it harder for the people of D.C. to combat gun violence in their
community.

"At
a time when we should be taking common sense steps to protect Americans
and their families from gun violence, this is a step in the opposite
direction. The United States Senate should not allow this dangerous bill to move forward.

"Instead
of allowing the gun lobby to weaken gun laws in our Nation's Capital,
Congress should be strengthening our woefully inadequate Federal gun
laws by requiring background checks for all gun sales, including at gun
shows; closing the gap that gives known or suspected terrorists an
opening to buy guns; and giving law enforcement more tools to fight
illegal gun trafficking."

As
the nation's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the
fight to prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign, with its dedicated
network of Million Mom March Chapters, works to enact and enforce
sensible gun laws, regulations and public policies. The
Brady Campaign is devoted to creating an America free from gun
violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and
in our communities.

Visit the Brady Campaign website at www.bradycampaign.org. For continuing insight and comment on the gun issue, read Paul Helmke's blog at www.bradycampaign.org/blog/.

Brady United formerly known as The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence and its legislative and grassroots affiliate, the Brady Campaign and its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, is the nation's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence. We are devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities.