Rep. Ruben Gallego: Americans 'Sick Of All This Gun Violence And No Action'

By Steve Goldstein
Published: Wednesday, June 29, 2016 - 3:05pm
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(Photo courtesy of the Arizona State Legislature)
Ruben Gallego was elected to Arizona's 7th Congressional District.

Earlier this month, a number of House Democrats took to the floor for a sit-in related to gun control measures. One member who participated is Rep. Ruben Gallego. He represents Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, which includes most of central Phoenix and parts of Glendale.

Here's a sample of what Gallego had to say about:

Gun legislation

"I think we're hearing from the American public that they're just sick of all this gun violence and no action. We as Democrats are sick of the hypocrisy of our Republican colleagues calling for moments of prayer and silence on the floor with absolutely no action."

Gallego said "sane" legislation exists and includes universal background checks, a prohibition on people on the terrorist watch list purchasing weapons, and a restriction on firearm purchases by people who are mentally ill or have a history of domestic violence.

The Voting Rights Act

Gallego said he would like to see parts of the Act re-instated, especially in the wake of the long lines seen at March's presidential preference election.

"It's not just the fact that some people don't vote," Gallego said. "It's the fact that they don't believe the democracy actually matters anymore."

Latino voting turnout

"One of the things we have to caution people is that Latino turnout itself does not change the state. We are a portion of a bigger electorate and the other portion of that electorate has to come out and vote, if you consider yourself a Democrat."

He said it will take a coalition of diverse voters to turn Arizona blue.
 

Politics