By U.S. Representative Mike Quigley, Illinois’ Fifth District
Wednesday afternoon, Americans witnessed the aftermath of yet another mass shooting, this time in San Bernardino, California. It happened to be the second mass shooting of the day and the 355th of the year – equating to more mass shootings than days in the year.
The social media pages of some of the most influential leaders in Congress expressed sympathy, thoughts and prayers to the victims and the families of the latest mass shooting. But what many failed to express was a commitment to act on this issue – to make mass shootings and horrendous gun violence a far less common instance in America.
Ironically enough, hours before news of the shooting in San Bernardino broke, I participated in an event with Doctors for America where we called on Congress to lift the current ban on gun violence research conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Shamefully, Congress has prohibited funding for research aimed at reducing gun violence for almost two decades – research that could help us save thousands of American lives each year. I have fought to end this harmful policy through various measures in Congress, most recently by offering an amendment to the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. Unfortunately, my attempts have been rebuffed every time. If my colleagues are really serious about keeping guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill, they can start by allowing the CDC to research the problem. This simple, commonsense change faces intense opposition in Congress despite lacking any legitimate or logical justification.
While no one grand solution exists to end all gun violence, we know from the experience of other countries that a combination of small but practical policy solutions can severely reduce it. There is bipartisan support in Congress for strengthening background checks. Reps. Peter King (R-NY) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) introduced the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act, of which I am a co-author, that will help save lives by stopping criminals, domestic abusers or the dangerously mentally ill from getting guns. Under the legislation, the current background check system would be expanded to require comprehensive and enforceable background checks on all commercial gun sales, such as those made at gun shows, over the internet or through classified ads.
But Congress continues to choose inaction. Just this week, immediately following the devastating news coming out of Paris and San Bernardino, a majority of members blocked the House from even debating bipartisan legislation to close the outrageous loophole that allows suspects on the FBI’s Terrorist Watchlist to buy guns. Similar efforts were defeated along party lines in the Senate.
So here we are again – mourning more lives lost from senseless gun violence. And Congress continues to sit on the sidelines. When will enough be enough?
Sadly, Chicago understands gun violence better than any other city in America. We see new shootings every day, but one especially resonates with me. In 2010, I met with Chicago Firefighter Annette Nance-Holt and Chicago Police Officer Ronald Holt. On May 10th that year, their 16 year old son Blair was shot and killed when a gang member opened fire on a crowded city bus. Blair jumped in front of another student to shield her.
When the child of two public servants gives his life to save another from the scourge of gun violence, I have to ask: why does Congress lack the courage to even debate gun violence legislation? This Congress refuses to fund research on gun violence, continues to allow people on the terrorist watch list to purchase deadly weapons, and lacks the political will to strengthen background checks. Congress has failed the American people.
Blair Holt took a bullet to protect a friend. Is it too much to ask Congress to finally take a vote to protect our kids?
U.S. Representative Mike Quigley, Illinois’ Fifth District
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This is the third in a series of semi-regular commentaries from people and organizations about what’s important to Chicagoland. If you have questions or wish to respond, feel free to forward your thoughts to WLS Program Director Peter Bolger.
