Relatives of gun violence victims in the US have told Sky News of their frustration and anger after hearing exchanges between politicians and gun owners at a congressional hearing. in Washington
“They have no heart,” says Javier Cazares. He lost his daughter in Photograph of Uvalde in May.
He spoke to Sky News after sitting down to review testimony from executives from two of America’s top gun manufacturers.
The executives of Daniel Defense and Sturm, Ruger & Co. gave evidence to politicians on Capitol Hill in the latest hearing to consider possible reforms to gun laws.
Two condemned the attacks in Buffalo, New York, Uvalde in Texas; and Highland Park, Illinois, while testifying before the House Oversight and Reform Committee but rejected any suggestion that they should share some of the responsibilities.
Marty Daniel, the owner of Daniel Defense, which makes the AR-15 rifle used in the Uvalde shooting, called the mass shootings a “local problem” that cannot be blamed on other types of gunfire. gun “inanimate”.
“How many more American children need to die before your company stops selling assault weapons to children and civilians?” he was asked by Carolyn Maloney, the Democratic Chairman of the House Oversight Committee.
Mr Daniel said: “I believe these murders are a local problem that has been solved locally.
‘You from your ivory tower in DC, you know better!’
Within hours, familiar partisan lines were drawn.
Republican Congressman Clay Higgins from Louisiana reacted angrily to any attempt by Democratic politicians to change gun laws.
“You from your ivory tower in DC, you know better!” he said sarcastically.
“We carry light arms. We own them. We own them legally. And we intend to keep them.”
Pro-Republican politicians backed the manufacturers in angry exchanges with Democratic reformers as relatives of the victims watched.
Several Democratic Party politicians have produced ad copies of gun companies to prove what they say is completely irresponsible and reprehensible marketing.
A tweet from Daniel Defense shows a child being given a military-style rifle by an adult.
Another shows a weapon manufactured by the company next to an image showing a street through a telescope.
“Mr Daniel, this ad appears to depict premeditated violence or murder from a rooftop,” Democratic MP Raja Keishnamoorthi told boss Daniel Defense.
The gunman in the mass shooting in Illinois on 4/7 used a similar weapon and went to the rooftop to kill and injure.
Another ad showed images of professional soldiers with the words: “Use what they use”.
‘Can this fire bullet tear through vital human organs?’
Also answering questions from politicians are Ryan Busse, former gun company boss self-described gun owner who advocates for responsible gun ownership.
“Any reasonable person can see the live streams from this marketing to the murderous youth troublemakers in places like Buffalo, El Paso and Uvalde,” Mr. Busse said.
Ryan Busse advocates responsible gun ownership. Pic: AP
Congressman Katie Porter asked why guns don’t have biometric fingerprint locks.
Picking up her iPhone with biometric unlock, she said: “Can this bullet destroy vital human organs?”
“Without any congresswoman, it cannot,” replied Christopher Killroy, CEO of Sturm Ruger.
“Then why does this device require more steps to operate than your company’s guns that have been used in accidental shootings, mass shootings and homicides?” she asked.
The commission revealed that gun companies have made more than $1 billion in the past 10 years from selling powerful military weapons. The memo from the board details sales and marketing strategies for assault-style weapons.
Producers and politicians who support them say it’s people, not their guns, that are to blame.
