Blumenthal Statement On Release Of Vote Schedule For Senate Gun Violence Prevention Legislation

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued a statement in response to the release of the vote schedule for the Senate gun violence prevention legislation (S. 649). The Senate will vote on Blumenthal’s amendment banning high-capacity magazines as early as tomorrow. 

“In these final hours, we're engaged in a full court press on both sides of the aisle for a bipartisan compromise. These votes afford an opportunity to keep faith with the families of Newtown, and 3,400 victims of gun violence since that unspeakable tragedy. Just as the world has watched Newtown since December 14, Newtown will be watching the U.S. Senate tomorrow. It will mark a critical milestone in the movement to fight gun violence.

“Last week, Newtown families courageously brought their stories and their desire to see commonsense gun reform enacted to the halls of Congress. Their courage has been the tipping point in this four-month effort to bring to the families what they deserve – a vote. The votes ahead won’t bring back their loved ones, but the votes must ensure that the pain these families have endured won’t be shared multiple times over again at the hands of individuals out to do senseless harm.  

“The Newtown families and the majority of Americans favor banning high- capacity magazines, and I will be offering an amendment on the Senate floor tomorrow to do precisely that. Adam Lanza took the lives of 20 precious children and six educators by firing more than 150 rounds in five minutes. There is no reason to have the ability to do so much harm in so little time.”