Monday, February 11, 2013

Joe Heck('s Office) Gets a Reality Check

This issue isn't going away any time soon. Especially as we see more shootings here in Nevada and across the country, gun safety remains in the headlines. And today, Rep. Joe Heck (R-Henderson) finally broke his silence on the issue that's already been debated by many of his colleagues in Congress for the past two months.

So what did Dr. Heck prescribe as a policy solution? [crickets]

That's why ProgressNow Nevada and some NV-03 concerned constituents paid a visit to Joe Heck's district office in the Southwest Valley. Here's a glimpse of what happened.

@ProgressNowNV #GunSafety event outside @RepJoeHeck's of... on Twitpic



@ProgressNowNV & more #nvp2 outside @RepJoeHeck's of... on Twitpic

Several of Heck's constituents came to make a statement. Yet interestingly enough, Heck's district staff were ready and waiting for them. To their credit, they talked a bit with constituents. But of course, they soon handed out "constituent comment forms" for them to fill out and leave with the staff. There was no actual sit-down time at the office.

Unfortunately for Heck's staff, media cameras were also present. But hey, at least there were also a few counter-protesters there to decry President Obama's gun safety plan... Or at least the NRA's spin on it. Even a couple of the counter-protesters conceded the necessity of universal background checks!

So how much longer can Heck stay mum on gun safety reform?

This likely won't be the last time Heck hears from his constituents on gun safety. President Obama and gun safety advocates plan to highlight this issue in a major way tomorrow during the State of the Union Address. Grassroots groups like Courage Campaign will continue pushing for comprehensive gun safety reform, including the new Assault Weapons Ban proposed by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California) and President Obama. And as long as a broad majority of Americans demand action on gun safety, Congress will feel the pressure to act.

So is Heck ready to have an honest conversation on real solutions to prevent gun violence? Or will he hide behind empty platitudes while tacitly approving of the latest outbreak of "tea party" madness? How many more gun induced tragedies must Nevada and the nation endure before Heck & his colleagues in Congress take action? Heck's constituents are waiting for answers.

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