U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-5, of Swarthmore, joined U.S. Reps. Brendan Boyle, D-2, and Dwight Evans, D-3, both of Philadelphia, in calling for the need for gun legislation in light of the Fourth of July mass shooting in the city.
The three issued a joint statement Wednesday, following Monday’s shooting in the Kingsessing neighborhood, adjacent to Yeadon, that left five dead and four injured. The act was the nation’s worst violence around the July Fourth holiday.
The trio of representatives issued the following statement after the incident:
“Over the July Fourth holiday, five of our neighbors lost their lives, and four others were injured in a random, premeditated killing carried out with an assault rifle. We are praying for their loved ones and for a speedy recovery for those injured during this cowardly act of senseless violence.
“In the midst of this tragedy, we are grateful for the swift and heroic response by the Philadelphia Police Department, and particularly officers from the 12th District. Their immediate response to the victims of the shooter and apprehension of the armed suspect no doubt prevented further terror and chaos.
“The trauma inflicted on this community is unimaginable — but it is preventable.
“House Democrats are working right now to pass commonsense gun safety legislation that strengthens background checks and keeps dangerous weapons off our streets. On June 13, we introduced three discharge petitions that would ban assault weapons, require universal background checks, and close the Charleston loophole, providing the opportunity to advance commonsense gun reforms despite obstruction by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the Republican majority. We’ve seen just how powerful an assault weapons ban can be with the 1994-2004 Assault Weapons Ban that significantly reduced the number of deaths and injuries from mass public shootings. We are once again calling upon Republican leaders to stand up to the gun lobby and bring this legislation to a vote in the House of Representatives.
“We must take action to create a safer society where individuals can exercise their rights responsibly while also curbing the senseless loss of innocent lives.”