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Pelosi Sends Letter to Speaker Boehner Calling for Select Committee on Gun Violence

October 2, 2015

Contact: Drew Hammill/Evangeline George, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Today, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi sent a letter to Speaker John Boehner calling for the creation of a Select Committee on Gun Violence to confront the crisis of gun violence in America and recommend common sense legislation to help end it. In addition, Leader Pelosi urged Congressional passage of the bipartisan King-Thompson bill to strengthen background checks that save American lives.

As Leader Pelosi wrote, "The epidemic of gun violence in our country challenges the conscience of our nation. Mass shootings and gun violence are inflicting daily tragedy on communities across America. As of today, nearly 10,000 Americans have been killed by guns in 2015 – more than 30 gun violence deaths a day. Yesterday's terrible attack at Umpqua Community College in Oregon marked the 45th school shooting this year alone."

"First, Congress must pass the bipartisan King-Thompson bill to strengthen the life-saving background checks that keep guns out of the wrong hands. But we should not stop there," continued Leader Pelosi. "I urge you to create a Select Committee on Gun Violence to confront this crisis and report back common sense legislation to help end it. The bipartisan committee would be charged to present its recommendations to the House within 60 days – in time for a vote before the third anniversary of the Newtown shooting this year."

Below is the full text of the letter:

October 2, 2015

The Honorable John Boehner

Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives

H-232, The Capitol

Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Mr. Speaker:

The epidemic of gun violence in our country challenges the conscience of our nation.

Mass shootings and gun violence are inflicting daily tragedy on communities across America. As of today, nearly 10,000 Americans have been killed by guns in 2015 – more than 30 gun violence deaths a day. Yesterday's terrible attack at Umpqua Community College in Oregon marked the 45th school shooting this year alone.

As 147 bipartisan Members of Congress wrote in their letter this week urging you to act on gun violence prevention, Congress must address an epidemic that is killing thousands of Americans every year.

First, Congress must pass the bipartisan King-Thompson bill to strengthen the life-saving background checks that keep guns out of the wrong hands. But we should not stop there.

I urge you to create a Select Committee on Gun Violence to confront this crisis and report back common sense legislation to help end it. The bipartisan committee would be charged to present its recommendations to the House within 60 days – in time for a vote before the third anniversary of the Newtown shooting this year.

As we pray for those who lost their loved ones at Umpqua Community College, we must address the tidal wave of grief guns have caused to so many families. As Members of Congress, how can we in good conscience engage in moments of silence to honor these victims of gun violence, if we refuse to take action? We take a solemn oath to protect and defend the American people. We must not accept the horror of gun violence as routine.

Thank you for your solemn consideration of this request.

best regards,

NANCY PELOSI

Democratic Leader

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