Congressman Steven Horsford Marks Upcoming 1 October Anniversary in Hearing on Gun Violence

Washington, D.C. — On Wednesday, September 26, 2019, a few days ahead of the anniversary of the horrific 1 October shooting, Congressman Steven Horsford delivered remarks at the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight. The hearing focused on gun violence as a public health concern, as well as the health care costs, social, and economic consequences of gun violence. Video of the Congressman's remarks is available below:

Nearly two years ago, on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, a gunman opened fire at a country music festival where 22,000 concertgoers gathered for an evening of fun and enjoyment. More than 1,000 shots were fired over the course of approximately 15 minutes. This individual took the lives of 58 innocent people – 31 of which died before they could even make it out of the concert venue – and wounded nearly 800 others. Heather Sallan, a 1 October survivor and Co-President of the Brady campaign of Nevada, was in the audience of the hearing.

Beyond the monstrous events of 1 October, in Nevada, 455 people die from gun violence — that's one person every 19 hours. From 2008 to 2017, 675 people under age 25 were killed with a gun in Nevada and guns are the second-leading cause of death for Nevada children ages 1–17. And for those who bear witness to these horrible acts, exposure to gun violence can cause lasting trauma in young people, leading to PTSD, chronic stress, and decreased future earnings.

Congressman Horsford also highlighted the impact that gun violence has on health care systems across the United States and the importance of supporting health care providers and first responders in the gun violence epidemic.

In 2017, nearly 40,000 people in America died from firearm injuries, the highest rate in 50 years. While significant media attention is devoted to mass shootings, studies have shown that such events make up less than one percent of firearm-related deaths. Firearms are used in almost half of all suicides and are involved in nearly three-quarters of homicides. Almost 100,000 Americans are injured per year by guns, and suicides account for roughly six-in-ten gun-related deaths.

Transcript of remarks:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this hearing to discuss one of the most pressing issues facing us today. And definitely an issue that has personally touched my life. I lost my father to gun violence when I was a teenager and have taken up this cause for so many other families who are impacted.

Gun violence and mass shootings have been crippling our communities for decades. And for some reason that I cannot figure out, Congress – and many of my Republican colleagues in particular – have been unwilling to pass reasonable gun safety legislation. The House has acted and passed H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019. Now, Mitch McConnell and the Republican-led Senate must do the same.

Why are they so afraid to protect the lives of Americans that are impacted by gun violence every single day? When Republicans controlled the House the last 8 years, they held ZERO hearings on gun violence prevention measures. I commend the committee for allowing us to discuss the impacts of gun violence to American's health.

Specifically, I want to focus on the growing strain to our hospitals and health systems, of which this Committee has jurisdiction. These are the systems that are responsible for treating the victims of gun violence. From 2008 to 2017, 675 people under the age of 25 were killed with a gun in Nevada. And we are nearing the second anniversary of the worst mass shooting in our country.

On October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, a gunman opened fire at a country music festival where 22,000 concertgoers gathered for an evening of fun and enjoyment. More than 1,000 shots were fired over the course of approximately 15 minutes. This individual took the lives of 58 innocent people – 31 of which died before they could even make it out of the concert venue – and wounded nearly 800 others. Including Heather Sallan who is here today in the audience — a gun violence survivor from Nevada who is in D.C. this week, advocating for the passage of common sense gun safety reform. And to this day, we continue to see chaotic events and the trauma they leave behind.

Chairman, I have in my hand, the Nevada's Hospital Association report, entitled, "A Day Like No Other," which I ask to be entered into the record.This report outlines the tremendous suffering and trauma that resulted because of this shooting. It says, "Many responders and hospital staff members still suffer from the events of that day. The emotional, psychological wounds, horrific memories, and difficult humanitarian interactions with the injured and their families may never fully dissipate."

Unfortunately, the October 1 shooting and the turmoil it wrought on my community – is not enough to stop the carnage. Two years later, as of September 1, 2019, there have been 283 mass shootings in this country, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive.

And unfortunately, if our Republican counterparts and the Administration refuse to act -- we must find ways to support our health systems, our courageous first responders, and families in our communities.