Congresswoman Barbara Lee Joins Call to Keep Weapons of War Off Our Streets
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee joined her colleagues in the Congressional Progressive Caucus in accepting 900,000 signatures from Americans demanding action to prevent gun violence.
“I’m proud to join my colleagues in receiving these signatures from 900,000 Americans that are demanding action to keep weapons of war off our streets,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. “Unlike the Republicans in Congress who have been inexcusably silent, we are listening to the American people who want safe communities for their families.”
MoveOn.org and several other organizations united on this petition and collected 900,000 signatures calling for the reinstatement of the assault weapons ban that expired in 2004.
“Let me be clear, assault weapons are weapons of war. These weapons were designed for the battlefield, not Main Street,” added Congresswoman Lee.
Today’s event builds on the work of House Democrats to demand a vote on commonsense legislation to prevent gun violence. Tragically, this work has been consistently blocked by Speaker Ryan and Congressional Republicans.
For weeks, Congressional Democrats have been demanding a vote on legislation that would expand background checks and prevent dangerous individuals from obtaining weapons. This legislation is supported by more than eighty percent of Americans.
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Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the Democrat Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality and Opportunity.