Pelosi Statement on the Ten-Year Anniversary of the Aurora Tragedy

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement marking ten years since a gunman murdered twelve people at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado:

"Ten years ago, an act of senseless mass violence stole the lives of twelve Americans on what should have been a joyful night with friends and family. This tragedy shocked Aurora and the nation, inflicting renewed fear for the safety of our own loved ones – at work, in church and even at the movies. In the decade since this heart-wrenching attack, the United States' daily drumbeat of gun violence has devastated more communities and torn apart more families. As this crisis continues claiming innocent lives, Americans have mobilized in stunning numbers to demand an end to the bloodshed.

"Driven by the courage of survivors and advocates around the country, House Democrats have proudly led the charge for life-saving action to combat gun violence. Last month, President Biden and the Democratic Congress enacted the nation's first major gun violence prevention legislation in nearly three decades. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act secured historic measures to keep weapons out of dangerous hands, protect victims of domestic violence and strengthen background checks for young purchasers. This legislation was a key step forward, but House Democrats know that further action is needed to save lives. We have twice passed widely-popular legislation to secure universal background checks for all gun purchases. Last week, the Democratic House passed the Active Shooter Alert Act, which will establish an AMBER Alert-style system to warn communities of an active shooting. And today, Chairman Jerry Nadler and the Judiciary Committee are moving forward with a landmark assault weapons ban to help get weapons of war off our streets.

"In honor of those killed in Aurora and all those taken from us in the decade since, let us continue fighting to bring our nation's gun epidemic to an end once and for all. As we have promised the survivors of gun violence, House Democrats will never relent until we get the job done."