Norton to Welcome D.C. Residents Arriving to Capitol in “March for Rational Gun Safety,” Tuesday Morning

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will greet DC Moms & Dads for Rational Gun Safety Legislation as they arrive to the U.S. Capitol from Lincoln Park in a march tomorrow, Tuesday, July 5, at 9:00 a.m., at the intersection of New Jersey Ave. and Independence Ave. SE. The rally is organized by “a group of District of Columbia parents who lack voting representation in Congress who want to show support for meaningful national legislation that will prevent gun violence.” Just before Congress adjourned for recess, Norton fought off three amendments in the House Rules Committee to undermine D.C.’s gun safety laws, keeping them from going to the House floor. Earlier this year, Norton kept two bills filed by Republican senators running for president from moving in either chamber. Last week, to follow up on Norton’s sit-in with Democratic colleagues on the House floor to force a vote on gun safety legislation, she held a community roundtable with Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Cathy Lanier and five D.C. residents who have suffered from gun violence. Their message was that the District’s strong gun safety laws are undermined by the failure of Congress to pass legislation to require universal background checks on all private gun sales, such as those at gun shows that allow guns to pour into the District from states with weak gun safety laws.

“I applaud our D.C. Moms and Dads for overriding the denial of a vote to them as D.C. residents,” Norton said. “Instead, they are raising their voices and springing into action for gun violence prevention to protect their families. Residents are fed up with having their gun laws attacked every year while Congress takes no action to reduce gun violence in our country. Requiring background checks is indispensable to keep guns from being brought into D.C. illegally. Tomorrow’s morning’s march will send a dual message: pass meaningful legislation and give D.C. a vote!”