Press Releases

Congresswoman Terri Sewell issued the following statement after President Obama unveiled a series of common sense measures to curb gun violence.

“Our nation must take common sense actions to stem the rising tide of gun violence that has claimed far too many lives. Effective policies should make it harder for criminals and those with a history of serious mental illness to obtain a gun, but such policies cannot restrict a law-abiding citizen’s right to bear arms. Unfortunately, Congress has repeatedly failed to pass gun safety measures that would protect our communities while defending responsible gun ownership.

“I am a strong defender of the Second Amendment, however, the status quo is not working and we cannot stand by and do nothing while mass killings continue to occur in America. In the face of Congressional inaction, President Obama has announced a series of common sense measures such as closing the gun show loophole, increasing mental health treatment, and mandatory dealer reporting on stolen firearms—all measures that will make our communities safer.

“While I understand the concerns that some of my constituents have regarding President Obama’s executive orders, I also recognize that we must strike a balance between gun ownership and gun safety. To be clear, I do not support any legislation or executive orders that threaten our constitutionally protected rights. I believe that President Obama’s executive orders meet this criteria and are in line with the majority of American’s views on this issue. My hope is that we can set aside party politics and work together in the best interests of our nation to reduce gun violence and protect all Americans.”

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