Hoyer Remarks at Press Conference on the Introduction of the Assault Weapons Ban of 2015

WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) joined Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) and several other House Democrats at a press conference today in support of the Assault Weapons Ban of 2015 to prevent gun violence and keep Americans safe. The bill was introduced today by Rep. Cicilline, and Whip Hoyer is one of over 100 cosponsors. Below is a transcript of Whip Hoyer’s remarks:

“Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor [Rep. David Cicilline]. I say Mr. Mayor because he was the Mayor of [Providence] and he saw firsthand on, unfortunately, too frequent a basis what assault weapons can do.

“The Second Amendment, the Supreme Court has said, ensures the right of an American to own a gun. Machine guns, however, are outlawed in America. Why? Because they can kill a lot of people very quickly. That’s exactly what an assault weapon can do. I don’t know any hunters who use assault rifles, and if they do that, it’s not much of a sport. I understand people want to protect themselves and their homes, but what we have here is a reasonable restraint to protect our people in cities or wherever else they may be, in rural areas. So, I’m glad to join Mr. Cicilline and my colleagues who stand here.

“Since the assault weapon ban lapsed in 2004 – we had an assault weapon ban. It was in place, and very frankly, I didn’t get anyone calling me up saying this is abridging my Second Amendment rights. We’ve seen, since the assault [weapons] ban lapsed, thousands of mass shootings across the country. Many of which the perpertators used dangerous assault weapons that were legally purchased.

“In San Bernardino, of course, the two shooters were armed with high powered, high capacity assault rifles that were legally purchased by a third party. The deranged young man who massacred innocent children in Newtown three years ago also used an assault weapon. In Colorado and Oregon and other mass shootings, assault weapons were used to inflict, very quickly, death and carnage on innocent people.

“Congress must take action to prevent this tragic, too frequent loss of life.

“I want to thank Rep. Cicilline for leading us, and I want to thank each and every one of my colleagues who are here. Some of them from Connecticut, Colorado, and other places, Chicago, Baltimore, which is a city in my own state. I want to thank all of my colleagues who are making a strong stand [for] every one of America’s children, every one of America’s parents, every one of America’s citizens. Thank you, David Cicilline. Thank you, my colleagues.”