Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., pivoted off last weekend's deadly Las Vegas mass shooting to blast Republicans, saying they "do nothing" to curb gun violence, The Hill reported Saturday.
"What will it take for the Republican Congress to wake up? They hold moments of silence and vigils; they offer thoughts and prayers. But they do nothing," Lewis said in the Democratic weekly address released on Friday.
"Gun violence is a daily epidemic — a daily drumbeat of tragedy in families and communities across America," he said. "Not always on the front pages, but always someone irreplaceable and beloved."
"Ninety Americans are killed every day. Every year, we lose more than 30,000 men, women and children to gun violence," he continued.
Lewis ramped up the call for Republicans to work with Democrats to curb gun violence, maintaining "good, common sense proposals are already on the table."
Stephen Paddock, a wealthy 64-year-old gambler, was identified as the shooter in last Sunday's rampage where he launched a barrage of firepower on a music festival crowd from the window of his hotel suite. At least 58 people were killed and nearly 500 injured in the attack. Paddock reportedly killed himself as law enforcement agents closed in on his hotel room.
One issue in particular stemming from the attack has been a call to ban "bump stocks," which alter semi-automatic weapons to fire bullets in a more automatic fashion — a device Paddock used in the attack. Many Republicans and the National Rifle Association have indicated an inclination to support a review of the devices.
Lewis said in addition to bump stocks, lawmakers should also consider strengthening background checks for people when purchasing firearms, and he also called for the formation of a Select Committee on Gun Violence.
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