Laser: "The announcement of this bipartisan amendment is a hopeful step toward eradicating gun deaths from our communities, but we will not rest until we have turned our grief into tangible action that brings safety and protection to all Americans."
Contact Sean Thibault or Katharine Nasielski
202-387-2800 news@rac.org
WASHINGTON, D.C., April 10, 2013 - Today, Senators Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced an amendment to S.649, which would extend background checks to gun shows and Internet sales. In response, Rachel Laser, deputy director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement:
"Today's announcement of a bipartisan proposal to expand background checks gives us hope that we can begin to bring justice not only to the many mourning families of Newtown but also to those who lost their lives at Virginia Tech, in Columbine and Aurora, CO, in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, and to the thousands of other victims of gun violence across America.
The announcement of this bipartisan amendment is a hopeful step toward eradicating gun deaths from our communities, but we will not rest until we have turned our grief into tangible action that brings safety and protection to all Americans.
The Talmud teaches us, "One who takes a life it is as though they have destroyed the universe and one who saves a life it is as though they have saved the universe" (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5). We call on members of Congress, the President and all parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters across this nation to find shared values on gun safety measures that will help protect all of God's children."
