Connolly statement on President Obama’s gun violence town hall meeting at George Mason University

“I am pleased once again to welcome President Obama to Northern Virginia and the 11th Congressional District.

“I share the President’s passion on the issue of gun control, and wholeheartedly support his executive actions regarding strengthened background check procedures for gun purchases, innovation to improve gun safety, and efforts to combat illegal gun trafficking.

“It is a sad commentary on our gun control debate that these commonsense actions do not have broad bipartisan support on Capitol Hill. Each year more than 30,000 people lose their lives to senseless gun violence. If politicians viewed the safety of the American people as more important than pleasing NRA executives, reason would prevail and we could take steps to curb this growing epidemic.

“On December 14, 2015, the 3rd anniversary of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, I joined the families of gun violence victims at the doorstep of the NRA headquarters to call for reasonable gun control measures. It is neither insignificant nor likely a coincidence that the location of this Presidential town hall is just down the road from the national headquarters of the gun lobby.

“This President has sent a clear message that he will act decisively in the face of unconscionable obstructionism. I welcome and applaud his commonsense leadership in addressing gun violence in America.”