Today, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) announced his support for the Assault Weapons Ban of 2018, which would prohibit the sale, transfer, manufacture, and importation of assault-style weapons.

Peters has been a consistent, vocal leader in Congress calling for action to curb the deadly epidemic of mass shootings. Peters played a major role in the anti-gun violence sit-in Democratic members of Congress held in 2016 to protest the Republicans’ refusal to act on even the most straightforward gun safety measures following the massacre at the Pulse nightclub. When Republicans turned off the House cameras to deny the American people access to the action, Peters broadcast the sit in to the world via Periscope.

“I’m in disbelief that even when our country is suffering from a woefully apparent gun violence epidemic, Republican leadership continues to ignore the cry from the American people to do something about it,” said Rep. Peters. “I strongly support the Second Amendment and the rights of responsible gun owners; however, there is no reason for civilians to possess these weapons of war that are being used in these mass shootings at concerts, churches and even to slaughter children at their schools. I’m angry, embarrassed, and deeply troubled by Republicans’ unwillingness to protect our children. How many more tragedies will we have to endure before Congressional Republicans decide to stand up to the gun lobby? It is well past the time for Congress to act.”

Peters is a member of the Congressional Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and has cosponsored bills to reform our background check system, ban the sale of high capacity magazines, and ban individuals on the terror watch list from being able to buy guns. He also opposed two votes this session of Congress, brought forward by Republicans that were steps backward. The first repealed a rule instituted by the Obama administration that required the Social Security Administration to share with the National Instant Criminal Background Check System when individuals have been determined to lack the mental capacity to manage their own finances. The second would require all states to recognize concealed carry permits from every other state, even those that have weaker or no standards.

According to a recent Quinnipiac poll, 97 percent of gun owners support closing the loopholes in our nation’s gun background check laws, 67 percent of American voters support a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons, and 66 percent of American voters support overall stricter gun laws.

Peters continued, “I am ready to make our background check system work better and ready to ban bump stocks, high-capacity magazines, and deadly assault-style weapons that have caused so much sorrow throughout our nation. The American people are ready. I will not allow for these heartbreaks to become the norm and something we accept. I promise to never be silenced, to continue to be outspoken, and to continue to fight for commonsense safety measures to reduce the chances of another tragedy happening again.”

Last week, Peters shared letters from San Diegans asking for Congress to take action to reduce gun violence on his Twitter and Facebook pages.