Norton Roundtable Tonight to Prevent Gun Violence with MPD Chief Lanier, Congressman Garamendi, and D.C. Families Impacted by Gun Violence

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Cathy Lanier and three District of Columbia mothers who lost children in act of random gun violence will be among those testifying at Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton’s (D-DC) roundtable to prevent gun violence tonight, Wednesday, June 29, 2016, at 5:00 p.m., at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (901 G St. NW, Great Hall).

Norton’s roundtable is among the many events being held today around the nation as part of a National Day of Action for Gun Violence Prevention in order to continue to reinforce last week’s historic Democratic sit-in on the House floor. In her floor remarks during the sit-in, Norton stressed congressional legislation to require universal background checks on all private gun sales, one of the bills that led to the protest. Norton, who was among the Democrats who sat-in on the floor, said that jurisdictions with strong gun laws, like the District, are being undermined by the failure of Congress to pass national gun safety legislation, increasing the risks to residents and law enforcement. The residents who will speak tonight will give testimony about the consequences to their families of failing to close loopholes that allow individuals to acquire guns without undergoing background checks, such as at a gun show in a neighboring state. Congresswoman John Garamendi (D-CA) will also offer opening remarks at tonight’s roundtable.