MEDIA CONTACT: Mandy Simon, [email protected] or Robyn Shepherd, [email protected]
(WASHINGTON, DC) – President Obama announced today that he would implement stronger gun control policies by executive action, including background checks, increased access to mental health care, exploring gun safety technology and the aggressive enforcement of current laws.
In response to his announcement Amnesty International USA Interim Executive Director Margaret Huang issued the following statement:
“Gun violence is a human rights crisis, impacting tens of thousands of Americans each year. Each day 88 people lose their lives to firearms in the United States, and countless other lives are permanently and irrevocably altered. While the causes of this epidemic of violence are complex, Amnesty welcomes the steps made by the president to address this crisis, which impacts a range of human rights including the right to life and security of the person.
“Today’s announcement is welcome, however, given how many lives are lost each year to gun violence, the U.S. Congress also has a responsibility to enact measures that will prevent and end it. The president can and should find a way to work with Congress to ensure the steps he’s taken today are the first of many to end gun violence. The government must come together to find solutions that comply with international human rights obligations and, more importantly, save lives.”