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“It is a statistical fact that we are way ahead on gun violence than the rest of the world. The point is regardless we still have to begin to address it. Just to say, ‘Well there’s nothing you can do’, it doesn’t really help the situation. The fact of the matter is, we at least can try to mitigate this as we’ve tried to mitigate all disasters.”

"I never thought I'd wake up this morning to the news of the deadliest shooting in U.S. history; but unfortunately, this devastation is all too familiar. I join the world in expressing my deepest sympathies for the victims and their families in last night's heartbreaking attack. Many have asked when is the time to discuss gun violence prevention. The answer is yesterday, today, and always. There is no doubt the absence of smart gun laws plays a leading role in these attacks. We can and must do better."

In the end, as Democratic Rep. Mike Quigley puts it, Republicans are going to have to fill in the blanks, avoid the temptation to run up the deficit and involve Democrats if they want to get further than they have on health care. The North Side rep is right. We're about to find out just how real this proposal is.