As she announces her retirement, the Greater NYC chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America would like to heartily thank Rep. Carolyn McCarthy for her tireless leadership for gun reform in America.
“Representative McCarthy is a shining example of what a self-professed ‘ordinary wife and mother’ can do when she sets her mind to politics,” said Wendy Szymanski, Greater NYC Chapter Leader for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “As a direct result of Rep. McCarthy’s untiring efforts to see the National Instant Background Check Improvement Act signed into law, countless firearms have been kept out of the hands of dangerous people. We are incredibly thankful for her work on behalf of all our families. As accidental activist moms, we look up to her greatly and commit to continuing to work to fulfill her dream.”
Spurred to activism by personal tragedy when a deranged gunman opened fire on the LIRR on Dec. 7, 1993, killing her husband, Dennis, and severely wounding her son, Kevin, McCarthy sought and won her Congressional seat for NY’s 4th district in 1997.
Since taking office, she has been on the front line working for gun control, sponsoring bills requiring trigger locks and banning the purchase of firearms for foreign nationals visiting the US. She introduced (H.R. 2640, the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007) in response to the 2007 massacre at Virginia Tech. The bill, with the support of the National Rifle Association, was passed by the House and signed by President Bush.
“She will be missed greatly by gun reform activists, and we send her our deepest thanks, as well as our best wishes, for her upcoming retirement. Moms Demand Action looks forward to continued work for gun sense in New York with her replacement,” said Szymanski.