DNC Chair Jaime Harrison issued the following statement marking National Gun Violence Awareness Day:

“Year after year, the United States continues to face the tragic effects of gun violence. Communities nationwide are devastated by heartbreak and loss, and far too many have been taken too young and too soon. Thoughts and prayers are not enough. It’s time for Republicans in Congress to join Democrats in championing an assault weapons ban, universal background checks, and other commonsense gun reforms. On National Gun Violence Awareness Day, we must recommit to taking action and pass comprehensive gun reform that will protect our friends, families, and neighbors.  

“Throughout President Biden’s first term in office, he has shown us what that action looks like. He established the first White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention and implemented the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. While extreme Republicans were trying to drag progress back at the behest of the gun lobby, President Biden was passing the most significant gun safety legislation in nearly three decades. 

“Enough is enough. It’s evident that Donald Trump and extreme MAGA Republicans will put the NRA before our children. Trump made that clear when he told gun violence survivors to ‘get over it.’ He will fight for the gun lobby before he will fight for our communities, our safety, and our lives. The stakes are far too high to let them win. We must reelect President Biden and send him a Congress who will stand up to the NRA and stand up for commonsense gun reform.”