A bipartisan group of Senators headed by Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy and Texas Senator John Cornyn have reached consensus on a deal “to protect America’s children, keep our schools safe, and reduce the threat of violence across the country.”
“Families are scared, and it is our duty to come together and get something done that will help restore their sense of safety and security in their communities,” Murphy, Cornyn, and 18 other senators wrote in a joint statement. “Our plan increases needed mental health resources, improves school safety and support for students, and helps ensure dangerous criminals and those who are adjudicated as mentally ill can’t purchase weapons. Most importantly, our plan saves lives while also protecting the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans.”
[Above, CEA Vice President Joslyn DeLancey and Darien teacher Jennifer Ladd attended a rally against gun violence this weekend in Stamford.]
The Senate deal has a greater chance of becoming law than gun violence prevention bills passed in the House because of its support from influential Senate Republicans, who can veto legislation due to the 60-vote filibuster rule in the Senate.
“CEA members applaud Senator Chris Murphy’s efforts to secure a bipartisan agreement for a gun violence framework to improve school safety and mental health programs,” said CEA President Kate Dias. “We are grateful to Senator Murphy for his persistence and dedication to passing common sense gun laws in our nation, and we thank all of the members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation for supporting these efforts to help prevent mass shootings in our schools and our communities.”
