Washington (June 20, 2016) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement today after Senate Republicans voted against legislation in the wake of the Orlando mass shooting that would have prevented suspected terrorists from obtaining guns or explosives and would have expanded background checks for gun purchases.

“Martin Luther King, Jr. said, ‘The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.’ Today’s votes in the U.S. Senate on gun safety legislation show that Republicans' courage cannot be measured at all.  

“Senate Republicans once again had the opportunity to stand up to the NRA and the gun lobby and vote for commonsense legislation that would keep guns and explosives out of the hands of terrorists and ensure we conduct background checks for gun purchases, but they failed to do so each time. With their votes today, Senate Republicans are aiding and abetting the criminals who perpetrate these deadly mass shootings.

“Americans are angry at living in fear that their community could be the next Orlando or Newtown. Let the Republican Party be warned: When you hold hands with the NRA, Americans will hold you accountable.

“I will continue to fight for commonsense gun safety measures, including banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazine clips and ending the ban on federal gun violence research so that we can fully fund, study and find solutions for this public health crisis.”

Last year, Senator Markey introduced bicameral legislation with Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) to fund research at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on gun violence prevention and firearms safety. The legislation calls for $10 million each year for six years. Senator Markey and Rep. Maloney are also the co-authors of “The Handgun Trigger Safety Act”, legislation that would support the use of personalization (or smart gun) technology that allows the purchaser of a gun to designate authorized user(s) who can operate the gun and would make the gun inoperable for all others.

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