“Enough is enough. These measures are long overdue,” states APALA National President Johanna Hester. “The nation has suffered too many instances of tragic shootings – from Newtown to San Bernardino to the most recent mass shooting in Orlando last weekend. It’s about time Congress takes action and helps put a stop to this pattern of violence at home.”
Senator Murphy’s blockade started late Wednesday morning and lasted nearly 15 hours. Legislators are now focusing on closing the loophole that allows suspected terrorists to own and purchase guns, pushing for more thorough background checks, and renewing the lapsed ban on assault weapons.
“Too many lives have been lost. This is but one step closer to closing the terror gap and universal background checks,” states APALA Executive Director Gregory Cendana. “Bipartisan support will be crucial to moving forward on more thorough gun controls. We will follow the debate in Congress and take note on who supports these common sense reforms--and who doesn't.”
APALA continues to denounce the wide availability of firearms and explosives and condemns policies that standardize profiling and surveillance of marginalized communities.