Lawmakers on Thursday re-introduced the ‘Keep Americans Safe Act,’ which would limit gun magazines that hold more than ten rounds of ammunition.
The legislation comes a year after the Parkland school shooting in which a gunman took the lives of 17 and injured 17 more.
Days before the one-year anniversary of the mass murder at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., lawmakers introduced another measure to curb gun violence.
“Last year nearly 40,000 Americans died due to guns, 17 of those lives were taken from us this week a year ago,” said Political Director Charlie Mirsky from March For Our Lives.
After their own tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, two senators from Connecticut said the legislation could save lives.
“The key enabler is a high capacity magazine,” said Connecticut Democrat Senator Richard Blumenthal.
Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy says the complacency and inaction by Congress on this issue is unacceptable.
“Six years since Sandy Hook that this Congress has done nothing of substance to address this routine of massacre,” said Senator Murphy.
Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey says the legislation is just one of many steps Congress must take to fix the nation’s broken gun laws.
“Saving lives requires that we place limits on the firearm accessories for sale,” said Senator Menendez.
Democrats are optimistic. Since they control the House it should be easier to pass gun legislation, but there is still a challenge with a Republican-controlled Senate.
Lawmakers say there needs to be comprehensive legislation, but this is a start to addressing the epidemic.
