On the heels of yesterday’s devastating mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Republicans have offered little more than “thoughts and prayers.” Americans, however, are demanding action, and Ronald Klain, former Chief of Staff to Vice Presidents Al Gore and Joe Biden, took to Twitter to offer an actionable solution.
This weapon was illegal in the USA between 1994-2004. Uses of it in mass shootings declined. And America was still a free nation with a right of self-defense. There's no reason we can't renew the Assault Weapon Ban today. https://t.co/zwGXlfTOWK
— Ronald Klain (@RonaldKlain) February 15, 2018
Bill Clinton, who was president during the assault weapons ban, weighed in with his own call to action.
Ron’s right. Courage and conviction led to an assault weapons ban once before. Let’s do it again. https://t.co/pG6bj6zzol
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) February 15, 2018
Gun experts have already claimed that a renewed ban on assault weapons would dramatically decrease the prevalence of mass shootings. The Parkland shooter purchased his AR-15 legally, as have a slew of gunmen who have terrorized the nation in prior mass shootings.
This is the 59th mass shooting at or near a school this academic year. Americans have had enough of the inaction of Republicans in Congress that would rather defend the NRA than their own constituents. We need action. An assault weapons ban is long overdue.
If those in Congress won’t take up the issue, they will be voted out in November.
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