WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Monday released the following statement after attending the White House’s celebration for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act:

“For three decades, shooting after shooting after shooting, Congress did nothing. But undeterred by the status quo of inaction and the power of the gun lobby, the anti-gun violence movement grew stronger and more determined to make our country safer with every passing day. I’m so grateful to each person who organized, marched, and persevered to make today possible and to my colleagues, Senators Cornyn, Tillis, and Sinema, who made sure that this time would be different. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act will save thousands and thousands of lives by tightening our gun laws, investing in mental health services, and making our schools and communities safer,” said Murphy.

Murphy continued: “Just nine days after our bill was signed into law, a gunman shot and killed seven people and wounded 46 others at a 4th of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois. Nationwide, at least 220 people died by gun violence that weekend. Each death is a reminder of this uniquely American epidemic and the work left for us to do. I’m confident this historic piece of legislation is only the beginning, and together, we’ll keep fighting to end the scourge of gun violence,” said Murphy.

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act was signed into law by President Biden on June 25th after passing the U.S. Senate by a vote of 65-33 and the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 234 to 193.

A one-pager on the bill is available here.

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