The son of one of the victims of the mass shooting at the Sikh temple in Oak Creek last summer is in Washington, D.C. this week to lobby Congress to pass new gun control regulations.
Amardeep Kaleka is one of more than 100 gun violence survivors lobbying Congress this week as part of a campaign launched by the group ‘Mayors Against Illegal Guns.’ His father, Satwant Singh Kaleka, was the founder of the Oak Creek Sikh temple and one of six temple-goers killed when Wade Page opened fire during a worship service. Page was later killed by a police officer. Kaleka says he represents a majority in the country who want expanded background checks and a ban on the sale of assault rifles.
“It’s a silent majority but it is a majority and I think there’s obviously a minority that [is] rambunctious and loud not to say that they’re wrong. Actually, they’re right on some points in terms of what the 2nd Amendment withholds and holds up but it’s our job to find the common ground [and] carve out good legislation that makes it safe for people to live and be peaceful in America.”
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Kaleka says he’s hopeful President Obama will endorse that effort during his State of the Union address tonight.
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