WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today released the following statement following an effort by Senate Democrats to pass the Assault Weapons Ban and confront the United States’ gun violence epidemic: 

“Gun violence in America is a public health crisis – and it’s time Congressional Republicans start treating it that way.  

“This weekend, the United States exceeded the highest number of mass shootings since 2006. Communities in New England and across the country have faced the tragic consequences of inaction, with the largest mass shooting in Maine’s history, the senseless shooting of three Palestinian-American students in Vermont, and just today, another shooting at the University of Nevada. 

“America cannot keep living in fear of gun violence every day. We took a stand on the Senate floor this afternoon and were obstructed by those who would rather stand with special interests. I’m going to keep fighting to keep weapons of war off our streets, protect our children and save American lives.” 

Senator Welch is a long-time supporter of commonsense gun safety reform, including voting for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and cosponsoring the Assault Weapons Ban and Bipartisan Background Checks Act during his time in the House. 

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