Gun Safety

NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement: “My thoughts are foremost with those affected-the victims, their families, and survivors as Virginia Beach and the entire Commonwealth is left devastated by another mass shooting. Gun violence should not be a normal occurrence in our communities. The President and Congress have a basic responsibility to keep Americans safe, and elected officials are not powerless to stop this. My colleagues and I have to do more to keep our communities safe.”

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), a Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus’ Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019: “For far too long Congress has sat idly by as countless Americans have lost their lives to senseless gun violence. That ended today with the House passing the Bipartisan Background Checks Act. Requiring background checks for all firearm purchases and closing the gun show loophole both have large public support, and they are an important first step in making our communities safer. Today’s vote reflects our commitment to addressing the gun violence epidemic in our country. It is now up to the Senate to follow our lead and pass this long overdue bill.”

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on the anniversary of the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. “One year ago, 17 students and educators lost their lives in the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. For many of us, that day will always be remembered for the mixture of shock, frustration, and profound grief we felt as we witnessed another mass shooting at an American school. Today, we join together as one nation to honor the memories of the people we lost, comfort the families and friends they left behind, and reflect on our responsibility to prevent this from happening again.”

WASHINGTON, DC – Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the release of the Trump administration’s school safety commission report. “The Federal School Safety Commission Report is not a serious or good-faith effort to make schools safer for students and educators. The report’s recommendations ignore both the research consensus and the demands of students and parents for tougher gun laws. Instead, the report promotes a longstanding, conservative agenda to undermine policies that protect students’ civil rights.

WASHINGTON, DC – Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the passage of H.R. 4909, the “STOP School Violence Act of 2018” [407-10]. Democrats will continue the conversation on school safety next week at our forum entitled, ‘Preventing School Shootings: A Comprehensive Approach.’ “Today’s vote is a positive first step, but more must be done. I am pleased that H.R. 4909 rejects President Trump and Secretary DeVos’ misguided proposal to arm teachers by prohibiting program funds from being used to buy guns or firearms training for school staff. While I applaud the bill’s provisions to support implementation of evidence-based staff training and school-based threat assessments, I remain concerned with any federal efforts to increase law enforcement presence in schools.