'Angry' Amy Schumer Joins Her Cousin, Sen. Chuck Schumer, in Initiative to Curb Gun Violence
By Dominic Patten
The Trainwreck star is using some family connections to push for greater background checks on people purchasing guns. With a “Enough Is Enough” sign at their side, Amy Schumer and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) appeared today at a press conference in NYC to announce a three-part legislative gun control plan. “Preventing dangerous people from getting guns is very possible,” the actress-comedian told reporters, adding she was “devastated” and then “angry” after the July 23 shooting in Lafayette, LA, that killed two moviegoers in the theater to watch her Warner Bros comedy. “These are my first public comments on the issue of gun violence, but I promise you they will not be my last.”
Related: Louisiana Theater Shooting: Cinema Remains Closed, Investigation Continues
Schumer is a guest on The Daily Show tonight and is expected to speak more on the matter. “I wanted to do something that it was something about restrictions and protecting their families maybe it would be effective,” Schumer added of her hopes her cousin’s plan could pass.
“I have a lot of press conferences but I almost never get this much attention,” said the three-term senator, thanking his cousin for being by his side. Citing the NRA, Sen. Schumer also noted “we are up against a very powerful lobby.” Added the actress: “I’m expecting a backlash and I’ll handle it,” while revealing she has received death threats in the past.
The Trainwreck actress told the assembled media that “I have no idea but I hope so” of whether or not her high-profile involvement could get the measures through Congress. The senator cited another recent massing shooting by adding, “We all know that if laws were tight, the shooter in Charleston would not have been able to purchase a gun.”
74% of Americans want stronger background checks. Joining @amyschumer to call on my colleagues in Congress to finally listen. More at 11.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer)
Having reacted with a “broken” heart on July 23 after the Louisiana theater shooting, the younger Schumer said this weekend online that she planned to do more:
@cdickason11 @sfclem Her name was Mayci, not Marci and I think about her and Jillian everyday. Don’t worry I’m on it. You’ll see.
— Amy Schumer (@amyschumer)
Sen. Schumer’s proposed legislation will reward states that provide comprehensive information into background check records and penalize states that don’t. In seeking greater mental health and drug abuse program funding from Congress, Schumer’s proposal calls on the Department of Justice for insight and recommendations on how states deal with “involuntary mental health commitments.”
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