Evans: ‘Reopen the Courthouse Doors for Victims of Gun Violence’

Congressman Dwight Evans (PA-03) spoke today at a Capitol news conference in support of the Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act, which he is co-sponsoring:

"Good morning everyone. I want to thank Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) for their leadership on these critically important bills.

"I have been advocating legal action against gun manufacturing companies for 20 years, when I was serving in the Pennsylvania legislature.

"Because while mass shootings continue to get most of the coverage, there are many communities throughout our nation where people lose loved ones to seemingly unescapable gun violence on a daily basis.

"For example - unfortunately, in the city of Philadelphia, which I represent here in Congress, there was essentially a murder every day last year – EVERY DAY!

"Surely some of these deaths could have been avoided if we held these companies accountable for illegal sales and/or defective guns as they're flooding our neighborhoods. Just having the courthouse doors open again would be valuable, because the discovery process would shine a light on these companies' questionable practices and actions.

"State attorneys general were able to hold Big Tobacco accountable in the 1990s. Now it's time to give them the power to hold big gun companies accountable in the 21st century - because millions of American lives could depend on it.

"The Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act would be another necessary tool in the toolbox to protect our citizens from gun violence, and finally give victims of gun violence and their families the opportunity to present their case in court.

"Let's reopen the courthouse doors for the victims of gun violence."

Evans represents the 3rd Congressional District, which includes Northwest and West Philadelphia and parts of North, South, Southwest and Center City Philadelphia.