Norton Resolution Calls Out Congress for Undermining Local Gun Safety Laws and Honors Victims

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Concerned that Congress continues to ignore its obligation to help stem the spike in gun violence in the District of Columbia and across the nation, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today said that when Congress returns from recess on Tuesday, September 8, she will introduce a resolution calling on Congress to address the backlog of pending gun violence prevention bills and to honor the victims of gun violence. Norton's major concern is with guns flowing freely across state lines, overwhelming even the most diligent local gun safety laws and efforts. She said that she does not expect her resolution to produce immediate action in the House, but that she will seek cosponsors of her resolution to signal to Congress that gun safety advocates have not given up because of the strength of the gun lobby. While conceding the difficulty of passing new legislation, Norton said that silence or resignation only strengthens the gun lobby.

"The District of Columbia has enacted strong, sensible gun violence prevention laws, but their effectiveness is being undermined by weak federal gun laws and permissive laws in surrounding states," Norton said. "The District and states with strong gun laws are not islands. They are being flooded with illegal guns from other jurisdictions. The spike in gun violence is a national problem that requires a national response. Congress needs to pass strong national gun laws to reduce gun violence before it escalates, as gun violence did in the 1980s and 1990s. At a time when such laws are urgently needed, it is tragically ironic that Republicans in Congress still try each year to repeal D.C.'s gun laws."

The Norton resolution calls on Congress to crack down on the 5% of gun dealers that are responsible for 90% of the guns involved in crime. The resolution also cites the need to pass pending bills, including some provisions that are already law in the District but not in surrounding jurisdictions. Among them are a firearms trafficking law, re-imposing the bans on assault weapons and large capacity magazines, and requiring background checks for all gun transfers. The resolution also honors the victims of gun violence and reminds the country that Congress alone has tools to end gun violence nationally.

This year, Norton has kept off the floor House and Senate bills introduced by Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH) that would eliminate D.C. gun safety laws, including its bans on assault weapons and large capacity magazines, requirement for background checks on all gun transfers, registration requirements and limits on concealed carry.