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Press Release

Castor's Statment on Obama's Plan to Protect our Children and our Communities by Reducing Gun Violence

Tampa, January 17, 2013
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor released the following statement regarding President Obama’s Plan to Protect our Children and our Communities by Reducing Gun Violence: “We need swift action to protect our children and communities from gun violence. The Congress should act to limit the potential for mass violence through measures including those to:

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor released the following statement regarding President Obama’s Plan to Protect our Children and our Communities by Reducing Gun Violence:

“We need swift action to protect our children and communities from gun violence. The Congress should act to limit the potential for mass violence through measures including those to:

-        Close background check loopholes to prevent easy access to weapons by criminals and the mentally unstable.

-        Ban military-style assault weapons and high capacity magazines.

-        Provide mental health resources to schools and students so that students identified by teachers with mental health issues are treated.

“A survey last year by the Mayors Against Illegal Guns found that 74 percent of NRA members support requiring criminal background checks of anyone purchasing a gun.

“President Obama and Vice President Biden have presented a strong, comprehensive plan that rightfully proposes to increase access to mental health services for schools and students. I have spoken with local school district and community leaders and experts in mental health about support for our teachers and students. The president’s plan rightfully calls for training 5,000 more social workers, counselors and psychologists, with a focus on those serving students and young adults, especially young, isolated male teenagers.”

Castor is a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and is cosponsor of the Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Act. In the last Congress, she co-sponsored:

•     H.R. 308, the Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Act.  This legislation would ban ammunition magazines that have a capacity of more than 10 rounds of ammunition.  This was law until 2004 as part of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban. 

•     H.R. 1781, the Fix Gun Checks Act.  This bill would ensure all individuals who should be prohibited from buying a firearm are listed in the national instant criminal background check system.  Additionally, a background check will be required for every firearm sale.