Sandy Springs, GA — Last night, Rep. Lucy McBath (D-Marietta) participated in a panel discussion with congregants of The Temple in downtown Atlanta. The forum worked to promote discussion, highlight legislative efforts to prevent gun violence, and encourage Temple members to participate in gun violence prevention and advocacy. McBath was joined on the panel by Temple Rabbi Peter Berg, State Representative Mary Margaret Oliver, and March for Our Lives Georgia co-founder Ethan Asher.

“I want to thank The Temple for opening its doors and hosting this critical dialogue,” McBath said. “At a time when our nation is mourning the lives lost to gun violence in El Paso and Dayton, it’s important to engage with our communities. Together, we must fight for common-sense legislation to protect our schools, our shopping centers, and our places of worship.”

The House of Representatives has passed two pieces of bipartisan gun violence prevention legislation this Congress: H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, and H.R. 1112, the Enhanced Background Checks Act. In addition, McBath introduced H.R. 3076, the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order (FERPO) Act. This legislation would empower individuals and law enforcement to ensure that those who pose a threat to themselves and others do not have access to firearms. Seventeen states and the District of Columbia have enacted extreme risk laws. McBath also succeeded in securing $50 million in funding for the Centers for Disease Control and National Institutes of Health for important firearm injury and mortality prevention research to study the gun violence epidemic and find solutions to help keep families safe.

The Temple was founded in 1867 as Atlanta’s first official Jewish Institution and is one of the most historic religious establishments in the country.

Watch more from the event on WSB-TV. 

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