Obama Exudes Strong Stance on Strengthening Gun Laws

Uses opportunity to send a message by having Representatives invite people affected by gun violence to the speech

Congressman Jim Langevin (RI-02), who spearheaded an effort to give people affected by gun violence a voice at the State of the Union, applauded the President's strong stance on strengthening gun laws in his reaction to tonight's speech. He also supported the President's approach to boosting the economy.

"President Obama laid out the right path to creating jobs and growing our economy by supporting a strong middle class and calling for a balanced approach to managing our fiscal challenges. We cannot reach our full potential unless we give Americans a fair opportunity to succeed by investing in the elements that made our country the strongest in the world, including our education system, a strong infrastructure, and research and development.

Gun Violence An Epidemic in Our Country

"However, the President also recognizes that this focus on our economy does not absolve us of our obligation to make our communities, and especially our children, as safe as possible. Gun violence is an epidemic in our country and I was proud tonight that more than 30 members of Congress gave their guest ticket to someone affected by gun violence. We cannot let this moment pass without enacting responsible gun legislation. There are political obstacles, but the vast majority of Americans want us to improve gun safety. I praise the President for standing firmly behind universal background checks as well as getting assault weapons and high capacity magazines off our streets.

"For our effort to be successful, our elected officials must hear an outcry, and they must hear the stories of those who have been impacted by gun violence. These guests sitting in the gallery tonight most powerfully send the message that the status quo is unacceptable. And as the President said so eloquently tonight, they deserve a vote."

Langevin had worked with Representatives Carolyn McCarthy (NY-4), Keith Ellison (MN-5), Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) and David Cicilline (RI-1) to ask their colleagues to give their one ticket to the President's speech to someone affected by a gun tragedy. Thirty three offices participated, and many of their guests had an opportunity to speak out earlier in the day.

33 Members of Congress who brought guests affected by gun violence

Jim Langevin (RI-2)

Keith Ellison (MN-5)

Carolyn McCarthy (NY-4)

Rosa DeLauro (CT-3)

David Cicilline (RI-1)

Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Leader

Steny Hoyer, Democratic Whip

Ron Barber (AZ-2)

Susan Davis (CA-53)

Diana DeGette (CO-1)

Tammy Duckworth (IL-8)

Elizabeth Esty (CT-5)

Lois Frankel (FL-22)

Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-1)

Janice Hahn (CA-44)

Jim Himes (CT-4)
John Larson (CT-1)

Alan Lowenthal (CA-47)

Steve Lynch (MA-8)

Ed Markey (MA-7) Jim Moran (VA-8)

Gloria Negrete-McLeod (CA-35)

Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC)

Ed Perlmutter (CO-7)

Jan Schakowsky (IL-9)

Brad Schneider (IL-10)

Bobby Scott (VA-3)

Mike Thompson (CA-5)

John Tierney (MA-06)

Krysten Sinema (AZ-9)

Chris Van Hollen (MD-8) Juan Vargas (CA-51)

Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (FL-23)