Dem: ‘Time for moments of silence to end’ for mass shootings

Days after a deadly shooting at a Planned Parenthood clinic, the lawmaker who represents the district where another gun tragedy took place three years ago called for establishing a select committee to prevent gun violence.

Rep. Elizabeth Esty’s (D-Conn.) district includes Newtown, where a gunman shot and killed 20 children and six staff members at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012.

Last Friday, three people died and nine were injured when a gunman opened fire at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, Colo. The House conducted a moment of silence Tuesday afternoon, although some lawmakers were notably observed continuing individual conversations as Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) eulogized the victims.

{mosads}To lawmakers like Esty, the moments of silence for victims of gun violence increasingly feel routine.

“Yesterday, this House rose once again to observe a moment of silence for victims of gun violence,” she began in a floor speech Wednesday.

“It is time for moments of silence to end. It is time for action,” Esty said. “That is why we should establish a select committee on gun violence prevention.”

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) previously asked then-Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to form a select committee on gun violence after a gunman killed nine people at an Oregon community college in October.

After the shooting in Esty’s district, Senate Democrats tried to pass legislation to expand background checks for gun purchases. But the measure failed to overcome a GOP filibuster and has not come up again in either chamber.

“It is time for this House to truly honor victims of gun violence,” Esty insisted.