Rep. Scott Peters is publicly demonstrating his commitment to gun control by reading the names and ages of all of the mass-shooting victims in America since the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut in 2012.
Peters, a Democrat, is reading the names in a series of one-minute speeches on the floor of the House of Representatives. He has vowed to continue until the Republican leadership brings any one of a number of bipartisan gun-control proposals to a vote.
“We stand here in this building, the United States Capitol, secured by police at every door, and do nothing, while men, women and children are being shot dead in broad daylight in public places across this nation,” Peters said Wednesday before beginning the speeches. “Yet the Speaker of the House cannot summon the courage to let Congress act on even one of any number of bipartisan gun safety proposals that could save lives.
Peters said Congress should adopt new laws that encourage responsible gun ownership while still protecting Second Amendment rights, such as closing the loopholes in gun background checks and keeping guns out of the hands of suspected terrorists, domestic abusers, and the dangerously mentally ill.
Rep. Peters is a co-sponsor of the bipartisan King-Thompson background check legislation and a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force in the House. Earlier this year, he joined former San Diego Mayor and Police Chief Jerry Sanders in signing a letter to Congressional leaders calling on them to take action to end the epidemic of gun violence across the country.
Peters represents the 52nd District which covers much of central San Diego County including Poway, Coronado, and large portions of the City of San Diego. He is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and House Judiciary Committee.
