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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Angel Cruz |
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Cruz, other Black Caucus members flex legislative muscle
Lawmakers walkout of session; stage protest in light of inaction on gun violence legislation
HARRISBURG, Dec. 5 – In a show of solidarity and unity, members of the state House of Representatives’ Black Caucus, including state Rep. Angel Cruz, D-Phila., staged a protest today to highlight the General Assembly’s inaction on addressing the gun violence epidemic in Philadelphia and other cities across the Commonwealth.
One by one, members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus asked for a leave of absence for the day, a day in which the House had scheduled a crucial vote on legislation reforming the state’s open records laws. Cruz said the purpose of the protest, and the timing, was to show they are serious about addressing the gun violence issue in Pennsylvania and that open records would not be voted on until the House takes a stand against gun violence throughout the Commonwealth.
“Open records may be a major issue to their constituents, but gun violence and senseless murder are major issues to my constituents in Philadelphia,” Cruz said. “This protest sends a message to everyone in the state House that we are committed to dealing with this problem and that we are ready to do what it takes for it to get noticed, even if that means holding the open records issue hostage until our gun proposals are addressed.”
Cruz has introduced legislation that would take a hard stance on controlling the proliferation of handguns in Pennsylvania.
Earlier this year, Cruz introduced H.B. 1633, which would create a gun registry pilot program, similar to one used for vehicle registration, for the city of Philadelphia. The bill would require the owner of a gun to provide a signature and have it notarized showing his intent to sell the gun. The buyer would take possession of the firearm and the title and have his name placed on the document. The registration requirements would apply only to guns bought and sold in Philadelphia. Cruz said police and law enforcement in Philadelphia would have access to the records and could track missing or stolen weapons.
But Cruz said that nothing at all has been accomplished this year to address the gun violence issue and something needs to be done to bring this issue to the forefront.
“This is an important issue for all Pennsylvanians and one that cannot be taken lightly,” Cruz said. “We have done everything possible to move forward with this issue and we have been ignored. Drastic times call for drastic measures.”
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CONTACT: Bill Thomas |