Following the Attempted Assassination of Former President Trump, Reps. Frost and McBath Call on House Speaker Mike Johnson to Bring a Vote on Assault Weapons Ban
WASHINGTON D.C. — Today, Congressman Maxwell Frost (FL-10) and Congresswoman Lucy McBath sent a letter to U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, asking for an immediate vote on H.R. 698, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2023 and H.R. 8600, the Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion (GOSAFE) Act.
The Assault Weapons Ban Act would reinstate the prohibition on assault weapons, a measure proven to save lives. The GOSAFE Act would prohibit gas-operated firearms such as the firearm used this past weekend, both of which are a common weapon of choice for mass shooters.
In the letter, the Members cite that evidence shows that during the period when the federal assault weapons ban was in place, mass shootings decreased significantly. Since its expiration, the data shows an almost immediate rise in mass shooting deaths in the years after the assault weapons ban expired in 2004.
“We believe the disgraceful act of political violence that occurred at a recent Donald Trump campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously and forcefully condemned. Political violence like the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump with an AR-15 assault rifle will continue unless we curb the means of political violence. The House of Representatives must take decisive and resolute action to bring H.R. 698, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2023 and H.R. 8600, the Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion (GOSAFE) Act to a vote.” wrote Frost and McBath.
In the letter, they continue to say, “The legacy of this Congress must be one of action and compassion, not one of continued inaction and preventable tragedy. Safety considerations should not be hindered by political ideology. We care for every American’s safety, and we need to take action now.”
The full text of the letter is available here.
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