After Las Vegas Shooting, Norton Calls on Rubio and Garrett to Withdraw Their Bills to Gut D.C. Gun Laws

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today called on Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Representatives Tom Garrett (R-VA) to withdraw their bills to overturn the District of Columbia's gun safety laws in the wake of the shocking massacre in Las Vegas, NV. Rubio and Garrett have introduced companion bills to eliminate the District's ban on assault weapons and large capacity magazines, similar to those that killed 59 and injured more than 500 in Las Vegas, as well D.C.'s registration requirements, and would keep D.C. from passing gun laws in the future. Norton said Garrett in particular has outrageously misrepresented what his bill does, writing on his website that he introduced it "to allow for citizens with legal gun ownership to carry in the District of Columbia," omitting the fact it would permit nearly anyone to possess powerful military-grade weapons and high capacity magazines in the nation's capital. Garrett also claims he introduced his bill "after several concerned constituents expressed their disappointment over wanting to visit the nation's Capital with their family, but due to the high crime rate in D.C., did not want to visit unprotected," when, in reality, identical versions of his bill have been introduced by other Members in previous Congresses and it is backed by the National Rifle Association.

"Members may continue to disagree on remedies for the horrifying gun violence in Las Vegas by a single gunman armed to the teeth with assault rifles," Norton said. "However, out of respect for the victims and their families, no one can be satisfied with speeches on the House floor about thoughts and prayers. At the very least, Members should withdraw their bills to overturn D.C.'s gun safety laws that protect not only D.C. residents, but high-level officials, world figures and millions of tourists who frequent our public places and amenities. Senator Rubio and Representative Garrett are abusing congressional authority by trying to overturn the District's duly-enacted local gun safety laws. Our local jurisdiction, which also happens to be the nation's capital, has strong gun safety laws for a reason."