Pennsauken, New Jersey-U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ-01) today demanded Congress take immediate, common-sense action on gun safety in America, days after the Orlando nightclub massacre.

“My heart breaks for the victims and their families of this senseless act of terror and hate. How many times does America have to re-live this nightmare? How many more victims will there be before Congress takes simple steps to prevent weapons of war from ending up in the hands of criminals and terrorists,” asked Rep. Norcross.

Norcross is calling on Congress to pass the assault weapons ban, which would include weapons like the AR-15 style assault rifle used in the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando Florida, the elementary school shooting in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, as well as attacks on a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, a community college in Roseburg, Oregon, and the terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California.

“These are killing machines. They’re weapons used to fight wars. They don’t belong on the streets of America. We know how to stop this and we have the power to stop this. We can’t wait any longer. America is counting on us to protect them. This is our call-to-action,” added Rep. Norcross. “Congress is too busy trying to deny equality to LGBT Americans, voting rights to minorities, and health care choices to women. Let's get our priorities straight and start denying guns to terrorists and other dangerous individuals.”

Norcross also re-stated his support for a bipartisan effort to close a loophole in U.S. law that allows those on the nation’s terror watch list to legally purchase guns. Efforts to bring this issue to a vote in Congress have been defeated thirteen times in recent months.

“The Orlando killer was twice investigated by the F.B.I. Yet, that didn’t stop him from buying weapons just days before the attack on a gay nightclub. It’s outrageous and inexcusable that anyone suspected of or has possible ties to terrorist organizations can still legally purchase guns in this country. If you’re on the ‘do not fly list,’ our policy should be simple. Just four words: ‘No fly, no buy,” said Rep. Norcross.

Rep. Norcross pointed to research showing a majority of Americans support strengthening gun safety measures. Yet, expressed discouragement over the powerful lobbying efforts of the National Rifle Association and its influence on certain members of Congress.

“I support the Second Amendment rights of responsible gun owners. But, what about the rights of the innocent victims whose lives are cut short by these killing machines? What about them? What explanation do we give to the families of the victims of the Orlando massacre about our actions? Doing nothing, is not an option. Bottom line,” said Rep. Norcross.

Among those joining the call for change was Carole Stiller, the president of the New Jersey & Mercer County, NJ chapters of Million Mom March who said, “We cannot sit idly by and bear witness to tragedy after tragedy when we have the ability to save lives. We’re long past the point of just talking about it. We need to take immediate and meaningful action on gun legislation.”

Rep. Norcross also echoed a call to close loopholes in firearms sales at gun shows, as well as investing in smart gun technology.

“These are simple, common sense things we can do right now to help save American lives: ban assault rifles, stop suspected terrorists from buying weapons, strengthen background checks, prosecute gun trafficking, and invest in smart gun technology,” concluded Rep. Norcross.

Rep. Norcross was also joined at the news conference by Camden County Sheriff Gilbert “Whip” Wilson, Camden County Police Chief Scott Thomson, Camden County Freeholder Director Lou Cappelli, Camden County Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, Gloucester County Undersheriff August E. "Gus" Knestaut, Jeannine Coyne, Unitarian Universalist Church Legislative Ministry on Gun Violence Prevention Task Force; South Jersey Chair for Ceasefire NJ/Coalition Peace Action, Pastor Raymond Gordon, Sr., St. Matthew’s Baptist Church, Williamstown, NJ, Bryan Miller, CEO & Founder, Heeding God’s Call, Imam Morshad Sami Hossain, Voorhees Muslim Association Mosque, Rabbi Larry Sernovitz, Temple Emanual, Cherry Hill, NJ, NAACP NJ President Richard Smith & Bruce Davis-NJ NAACP Economic Development Chair, Brian McGinnis, local LGBT community leader & attorney, and officers from Camden County Police Department and Cherry Hill Police Department.

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