Statement Of Paul Helmke: Sean Taylor, Gun Violence, And The Need For Tougher Gun Laws

Nov 28, 2007

Washington, D.C. - Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, issued the following statement:

“On the football field, Washington Redskins’ standout Sean Taylor was an extraordinary  talent, a force that 300 pound linemen could not contain and that the greatest receivers feared.  Yet it took one bullet to end his promising life at the age of twenty-four.  He left behind a one and a half year old daughter who will grow up fatherless, parents who will never see their son reach his vast potential, and a grieving community of fans and friends. 

“While there are still many unanswered questions about the circumstances, one fact is undeniable: Sean Taylor’s tragic, untimely shooting death is the latest example that in America no one is safe from the scourge of gun violence.  Michael Jordan’s father, Venus and Serena Williams’ half-sister, Bill Cosby’s son, college students, high school students, and men and women in all lines of work have fallen victim to guns, as almost 30,000 do every year in this country.  We immediately need to address the problem of gun violence in this country.  We've had enough wake-up calls.

“Common sense solutions exist that would make it harder for dangerous people to get their hands on weapons.  For starters, the U.S. Senate should immediately pass the NICS Improvement Act which would strengthen the national Brady criminal background check system.  It has been languishing in the Senate even though the families of the Virginia Tech survivors and victims have asked repeatedly that it be passed.  Yet another sensible step we should take is to require Brady criminal background checks on all gun sales.  We should ban military-style assault weapons.  And we should give our law enforcement agencies the power to stop trafficking in illegal guns.

“These are just a few of the steps the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence has put forth to reduce gun violence.  Our leaders need to do more than just offering condolences.  We must act now to make our homes and our communities safer.”

As the nation's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign, with its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, works to enact and enforce sensible gun laws, regulations and public policies.  The Brady Campaign is devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities.  

For continuing insight and comment on the gun issue, read Paul Helmke's blog at www.bradycampaign.org/blog.  Visit the Brady Campaign website at www.bradycampaign.org.

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As the nation's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign, with its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, works to enact and enforce sensible gun laws, regulations and public policies. The Brady Campaign is devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities.

For continuing insight and comment on the gun issue, read Paul Helmke's blog at www.bradycampaign.org/blog/. Visit the Brady Campaign website at www.bradycampaign.org.