Schneider and Local Leaders Call for End to Congressional Inaction on Gun Violence

Republican Bob Dold Continues to Enable Republican Obstruction of Commonsense Legislation to Reduce Gun Violence 

NORTHBROOK, IL— Today, Democrat Brad Schneider hosted local elected officials and other community leaders for a roundtable discussion on reducing gun violence, and criticized Republican Congressman Bob Dold continuing to stand with his party in preventing a vote on legislation to address the problem.

Congresswoman Katherine Clark (MA-5), who led this summer’s congressional sit-in to protest Congress’s inaction in the aftermath of the Orlando mass shooting, participated in the roundtable and praised Schneider’s dogged determination to pass commonsense legislation addressing gun violence.

“To finally make progress on addressing gun violence, we need allies in Congress who will fight to get a vote on commonsense solutions,” said Rep. Katherine Clark. “Brad’s opponent continues to side with his party to block Democratic efforts to secure a vote on the No Fly, No Buy bill and even refuses to sign the petition that would overcome Republican obstruction. I support Brad Schneider because I know we can count on him to do more than just offer words, but take meaningful action.”

Photo Caption: Democrat Brad Schneider speaks with local community leaders at a roundtable discussion on reducing gun violence.

“Reducing gun violence is a deeply personal issue to me – I was named in memory of my great-uncle who was murdered by a gunman and my first speech on the floor of the House was in support of a comprehensive gun safety package,” said Brad Schneider. “It’s inexcusable that Bob Dold continues to side with his party’s obstruction of commonsense solutions to reduce gun violence. In Congress, I’ll do more than offer empty words of support, and will fight to secure a vote to address this critical issue.”

Roundtable participants also discussed local initiatives to reduce gun violence, including the effort to ban assault weapons by some towns and villages. Family members directly affected by gun violence spoke of loss of their loved ones and urgent need to address the gun violence epidemic.

Roundtable participants included:

Brad Schneider, Democratic candidate for Congress (IL-10)

Congresswoman Katherine Clark (MA-5)

State Sen. Julie Morrison (IL-29)

Mayor Leon Rockingham (North Chicago)

Mayor Harriet Rosenthal (Deerfield)

Thomas Vanden Berk, Founder, GPAC          

Kathleen Sances, Executive Director, GPAC

Tracy Katz-Muhl, Moms Demand Action

Andrea Beggs, Moms Demand Action

Bill Jenkins, Gun violence prevention activist

 

BACKGROUND:

Dold Refuses to Sign No Fly, No Buy Discharge Petition
[HR 1076 Discharge Petition, 10/20/2016]

Dold Bragged About Previous Discharge Petition Success in Press Release
[Office of Congressman Dold Press Release, 10/9/2015]

Dold Refuses to Support the Assault Weapons Ban
“The assault weapons ban that ended I think was not renewed because there was a thought that it wasn’t working. And certainly I think that we’ve got to look at other ways to reduce gun violence
[Chicago Tonight Debate, 10/23/2012 @28:34]