LULAC Applauds The Proposed Senate Bipartisan Agreement On Gun Law Reforms
Nation's Largest and Oldest Latino Civil Rights Organization Thanks President Biden, Who Says He is Ready to Sign Measure Into Law Immediately
Washington, DC - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) issued the following statement on news that a bipartisan group of 20 Senators has arrived at a framework of a deal that will help address gun violence in the United States. The announcement came 19 days after a mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, claiming the lives of 19 children and two teachers. The proposed agreement will have to be reconciled with the House version. There is a requirement for more in-depth background reviews of any firearms buyer under age 21. Also, additional funding for school safety and stricter mental health checks. Plus, “red flag” laws that states will receive incentives to implement, though specifics have not been disclosed.
The group includes Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Angus King (I-Maine), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.).
Domingo Garcia - LULAC National President
"LULAC welcomes this news and urges the House and Senate to work through any differences they may have so that we pass new legislation as soon as possible. However, we cannot stop here. This is only a first step; much more must be done to ensure that every child, teacher, shopper, and employee in any company can feel safer. We will also continue to press for more accountability from gun manufacturers to engage in these legal reforms. Also, we will not be silent when we see any state trying to skirt these new measures. The constitutional rights of all Americans must be protected, not just those of gun owners.”
Rodolfo Rosales Jr. - Texas LULAC State Director
“Texas LULAC celebrates this news for all the people of Uvalde who are grieving the recent attack upon their community. We understand that investigating all the factors that led up to that tragedy will take more time. However, we applaud our members of Congress for not waiting and doing the responsible thing. Finally, we are coming together for the common good of our nation on gun law reforms. This is not about infringing the rights of anyone. Rather, it is about ensuring the rights of all Americans to ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’ without fearing someone with a firearm unleashing unimaginable terror on a community.”
Sindy Benavides - LULAC National Chief Executive Officer
“I am so thankful on this day when families pause to attend church, temple, mosque, or congregations that our country can take heart and feel hope. Our elected officials are being asked to do a great deal with pressure from all directions. Yet today, they have answered the prayers and pleas of the families whose loved ones were so horribly taken from them. May we as a nation stand united and resolve together to confront hate with love, indifference with caring, and fear of 'the other' with faith in our better selves. LULAC shall continue working with Congress and the Administration members to see this process through its fruition.”
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About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit https://lulac.org/