Whip Clark Urges Action on Gun Violence Prevention: “Congress Has the Power To Save Lives”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chair Mike Thompson (CA-4) and House Democrats to mark the fourth anniversary of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Below are her remarks as prepared for delivery:

"Today is a reminder that widespread gun violence is a policy choice. We can choose to enact solutions that save lives. The Safer Communities Act didn’t deliver every step we need, and there is still more work to do. But this was a generational achievement.

"It was a choice we made after the horrors we witnessed in Uvalde and Buffalo. And its successes have proven that when we decide to prioritize kids over guns, we can make a difference.

"We are not limited to thoughts and prayers. We don’t have to throw our hands up and concede that daily gun violence is just an inherent part of life in America.

"Look back to 2021. Democrats inherited one of the highest gun violence rates on record. It was one of the most violent, deadliest years in recent history. Fast forward to 2025. What did we hand to this administration? One of the safest years in American history. One of the lowest homicide rates on record. And guess what? We know why.

"It’s because we expanded background checks, and cracked down on domestic abusers trying to buy guns, and went after straw purchases, and invested in mental health in schools. So remember that next time someone says this is an unsolvable problem.

"Congress has the power to save lives. And it is such an honor to work alongside these leaders working to exercise that power. We have the capacity to give our kids a country where they can go to school or church or a birthday party without the fear that someone might walk in with a weapon of war.

"That’s a future worth fighting for. And the Safer Communities Act was just the beginning."

Photos of the event can be viewed HERE.

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