Langevin Joins Pelosi, McCarthy to Call for Addressing High Capacity Gun Clips

Dec 19, 2012 Issues: Gun Safety

Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) continued his push for addressing gun violence in the wake of the Newtown tragedy today, appearing at a news conference in support of legislation that would address the availability of gun clips that allow shooters to rapidly fire dozens, or even hundreds, of rounds. Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and bill author Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, the House’s leading voice on gun control, were featured at the event, which brought together cosponsors of the Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Act (H.R. 308). Pelosi recognized Langevin for his leadership on the issue.

If signed into law, this measure would:

  • Prohibit the transfer or possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, except for its lawful possession within the United States on or before the date of this Act’s enactment; and
  • Make it illegal to import such a device into the United States.

Langevin was one of 47 House members to sign onto the bill as an original cosponsor when it was introduced in January 2011. The bill currently has 126 cosponsors.

“As a teenager, I learned firsthand the damage guns can cause even in what should be the safest setting, a police department with well-trained officers,” said Langevin. “While the accident that nearly took my life reminds me that we cannot prevent every gun-related incident, it also leaves me at a loss that we have not taken every possible action to stop the wrong people from acquiring the most destructive firearms and ammunition.

“We won’t find one easy answer to address gun violence, but it should be common sense to go after the large capacity ammunition feeding devices addressed by this legislation as a first step in a comprehensive approach. There is no legitimate civilian purpose to these tools of mass murder, and I commend the commitment of all of my colleagues involved with this effort, particularly the tireless leadership of Congresswoman McCarthy.”

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