Fellow Illinoisan,

On the fourth of July last year, a close-knit community excitedly gathered for their annual parade just like any other year, sporting their festive red, white, and blue. What started as a special day quickly turned into their worst nightmare as a gunman fired off 83 rounds in 60 seconds into their celebratory parade before law enforcement could find him and stop him.

That community was Highland Park—and the shooting was one of the deadliest in the history of our state. This community of parents who asked their sons and daughters to wear those patriotic colors and carry those little flags were now asking themselves and public officials how this tragedy was allowed to happen in America. Sadly, this is a question being contemplated across our nation as the Highland Park mass shooting was only one of hundreds that have taken place.

Congress must take concrete steps to address the unacceptable rate of mass shootings and gun deaths in America. During my time as Chair of the Judiciary Committee, I’ve held thirteen hearings about commonsense steps to reduce gun violence, including a hearing centered on the shooting in Highland Park. Last week, I held a hearing on the gun violence epidemic and efforts to save lives through innovative public health programs, such as the Chicago HEAL Initiative.

Hospitals in Chicago, as part of my HEAL Initiative, are banding together against gun violence, fighting on the frontlines to find a solution to America’s gun violence epidemic—but they need our help. They can only do so much. Our communities, hospitals, school leaders, and students are calling for action. To continue to allow firearms meant for war to be used on our streets is disgraceful.

Last summer, the Senate passed and President Biden signed into law the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the most significant gun violence prevention law in nearly three decades. Yesterday, I joined Senator Schumer on the Senate floor to request unanimous consent to pass the Assault Weapons Ban to get military-style assault weapons off of our streets and keep our communities safe. There is no plausible reason that civilians should own military-style assault weapons—weapons that can cause irreversible harm in just a matter of seconds.

“Since 2020, the United States has suffered from over 600 mass shootings every year, almost two a day. I ask those who are listening to my remarks to reflect on one fact: there is no other country on Earth not engaged in active war where this type of killing occurs on a daily basis.” – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee

SENATOR DURBIN JOINS SENATOR SCHUMER IN ATTEMPT TO PASS THE ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN ON THE SENATE FLOOR

It is up to Congress to say enough is enough—to enact legislation so that parents do not have to live in fear that their child will go to a parade, a church service, or school and never return home. If both sides come together and build on the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, we can do what is right for the safety of the American people and create real change.


Sincerely, 

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)