Majority Leader Schumer Floor Remarks Announcing Senate Democrats Will Call For Senate Passage Of The Assault Weapons Ban This Week To A Vote To Confront The Gun Violence Crisis In America

Washington, D.C. – Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor on the need to pass the Assault Weapons Ban to combat against a scourge of mass shootings in the country. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

Later this week, I will join my Democratic colleagues here on the floor to ask unanimous consent to pass the Assault Weapons Ban. I will come to the floor to try and pass the Assault Weapons Ban because right now, the scourge of gun violence in America is a national crisis.

It wasn’t always this way. After I led the passage of the Brady Law and the Assault Weapons Ban 30 years ago, America saw a significant decrease in mass shootings and gun deaths.

It’s simple: the Assault Weapons Ban works. It saves lives. And one decade since the expiration of the ban, we need it more than ever before.

As of today, there have been more mass shootings than days in the year 2023. Let me say that again: as of today, there have been more mass shootings than days in 2023.

The American people are tired of fearing for their lives, their children’s lives, their friends’ lives, every time people leave the house.

The people of Lewiston, Maine, where a gunman murdered 18 people at a bowling alley and restaurant with an assault rifle, are tired of fearing for their lives.

The people of Allen, Texas, where a gunman murdered 8 people at a shopping mall with an assault rifle, are tired of fearing for their lives.

The people of Louisville, Kentucky, where a gunman murdered 5 people at a bank with an assault rifle, are tired of fearing for their lives.

So, when Democrats come to the floor this week again to pass the Assault Weapons Ban and other gun safety legislation, I urge my Republican colleagues to stand with us. Stand with the American people. Stand against the gun lobby. Stand against gun violence.

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