How not to help state

Last week our congressional representatives had an opportunity to take action on an effective, common-sense approach to reducing gun violence. This involved adding an amendment to a bill that would have expanded background checks on commercial gun transactions, and required checks on sales over the Internet and between private parties at gun shows. The measure would have plugged the gaps that allow an estimated 40 percent of gun sales to avoid mandatory background checks. This is not a controversial measure. More than 90 percent of the American public supports expanded background checks for the purchase of a firearm.

Was the amendment added? No. Mac Thornberry—representative from Texas—objected to the amendment on parliamentary grounds. The chairman upheld his objection. The House voted 224 to 191 to affirm the chair’s ruling. This vote, which had the effect of blocking the amendment, was supported by all four of our representatives—Rick Crawford, French Hill, Steve Womack, and Bruce Westerman.

Let me be clear. Our representatives voted to block an amendment that would not have infringed on Second Amendment rights, has overwhelming public support, and would have done much to keep guns out of the hands of people who should not have them.

Our representatives will not take even one simple step toward reducing gun violence. Let’s bring them back home and send new representatives to Congress who will.

MICHAEL YOUNG Hot Springs Village