National Council of Jewish Women
2055 L St, NW, Suite 650
Washington, DC 20036 

Contact: Amanda Lang
917.886.0336  

McConnell’s Inaction on Guns Leads to More Devastation 

September 1, 2019 — National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) CEO Sheila Katz released the following statement today following the tragic shootings in Alabama and Texas over the weekend.

“Labor Day weekend should be a time when families and communities come together to celebrate our nation’s workers, and instead we are mourning the 7 killed in Odessa, Texas and heartbroken for the teenagers injured in the shooting at a high school football game in Mobile, Alabama.

“At the rate we are going, it is only a matter of time until the next mass shooting occurs. It will not end until our lawmakers prioritize people over guns, and gun safety laws over the gun industry. The House of Representatives took action this year, passing two common sense gun measures to expand and lengthen the time for background checks. But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refuses to bring either bill – or any gun safety bill – to the Senate floor for a vote. In the 185 days he’s waited to take action, there have been 235 mass shootings in the United States. We ask Mr. McConnell: how many more people have to die before you will act?

“The majority of Americans – including Republicans and NRA members – support efforts to curb gun violence. Doing nothing is not working. Leader McConnell must bring the Senate back from recess to consider S 42 and other measures to prevent gun violence and ensure the safety of our communities before more people are gunned down for attending a festival, shopping for school supplies, attending school, watching a movie, or worshipping. Our lives depend on it.”

The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. More information on Facebook and on Twitter at @NCJW.  

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