From The Mississippi Link Newswire
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) made a statement this week regarding the need for gun control legislation.
Thompson was recently asked by his colleagues in the House Democratic Caucus to serve as Vice-Chairman of the task force focused on reducing and preventing gun violence.
“As an avid outdoorsman and as an elected official who has seen far too many senseless gun related deaths, I clearly understand the passion of advocates on both sides of gun control issue,” Thompson said. “There is little doubt that this debate will be contentious; however, I implore my colleagues to engage in meaningful discussions and ignore the usual political pandering.”
In light of the recent school shootings in Connecticut and within the local communities of Mississippi, Thompson said: “We cannot continue to sit idly by while the number of deaths continues to mount.”
Thompson said he is saddened that Mississippi ranks third in the nation per capita for the number of gun murders committed per year, “but the real outrage is that we have the ability to help end gun violence but appear to lack the will,” he said.
“A comprehensive approach to address gun violence should be taken to protect the freedom and safety of all Americans. I look forward to working to enact meaningful legislation that will help make our streets and communities safer while also protecting law-abiding individuals’ right to own firearms.”
Over the next several weeks, the task force will hold a number of meetings and hearings designed to identify the best policies to reduce and prevent gun violence. The task force will meet with and hear from law enforcement officers, gun owners, sportsmen groups, gun manufactures, gun retailers, mental health experts, gun violence prevention groups, members of the entertainment industry, education organizations and other relevant stakeholders.
A comprehensive set of policy proposals will be released by the task force in early February, Thompson said.
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