Norton Says President Obama’s Executive Actions Will Help Cities like D.C. and Localities Across the U.S. Reduce Gun Violence

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today issued the following statement in response to President Obama's executive actions to reduce gun violence.

"The President's tightly-tailored executive actions will help thousands of public officials who find their local efforts to control gun violence eclipsed by people in the business of selling guns in nearby states. For all of its work for gun safety, District of Columbia law enforcement officials are often swamped by guns sold at gun shows by private sellers, who are not required to conduct background checks. The carnage in our city comes from criminals who have been able to use these loopholes to get their hands on firearms in nearby jurisdictions. Big cities such as D.C. and Chicago, which are islands surrounded by jurisdictions with weaker gun safety laws, will get significant assistance from the President's bold steps, which are enough to begin the journey to reduce gun violence in our country."