Guest columnist U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider: We can and must do more to protect our communities from gun violence

As in communities across the country, Independence Day in Highland Park is a time when we gather to celebrate our country's birth, our freedom, and the ideals that define us as a nation. The annual parade is a big deal. Thousands of neighbors and guests line the streets, in some places 5 and 6 rows deep.

Families plan where they will watch the parade well in advance, and start saving their seats the day or two before. Having a good view is important, because your kids and grandchildren, your coworkers, the members of your church or synagogue, and your service organization are all going to be walking in the parade.

I walk in five parades each July 4. Highland Park is always the second - immediately after Vernon Hills and just before Deerfield. This year, my campaign team was gathering at the train station at the start of the parade course as the crowds along the route were festively celebrating being together again after two years of COVID cancellations. I had just arrived to join them, driving one block north of the parade route along Elm Street, when, in an instant, that sense of elation was shattered by a single, evil man who acquired weapons of war, climbed a ladder to a rooftop and fired 80 bullets into the joyous crowd below.

While his motive is unknown, his intent was clear: kill as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, before slinking away into the panicked rush of people fleeing his reign of terror.

I am incredibly grateful for the rapid action of the heroic first responders, as well as the many local residents who immediately stepped in to assist the wounded and save lives. I am thankful for law enforcement and first responders from communities across the area, the state of Illinois and the federal government who mobilized with remarkable speed and professionalism to identify, locate and apprehend the shooter.

I appreciate the dedication and leadership of Mayor Nancy Rotering, Police Chief Lou Jogmen, Fire Chief Joe Schrage, Lake County Sheriff John Idelburg, State's Attorney Eric Rinehart and all the others working to ensure justice is served.

Now, seven families must focus on saying a final goodbye to their loved ones. Others will begin the process of recovering from their physical wounds. Together, all of us will lean on one another as we deal with the emotional trauma we are experiencing in our own distinct way. Highland Park is strong, and we are fortunate to be supported by our neighbors and friends both near and far.

We will heal, and we will recover, but we will never forget.

This year's Independence Day assault was the 308th mass shooting in the country this year. Not a monthly or weekly occurrence, these shootings are happening every day - ending lives, destroying families and devastating communities.

According to Everytown for Gun Safety, an estimated 76% of recent mass shootings involve an assault weapon. Yes, these shootings are happening in Highland Park, Buffalo and Uvalde, but every day 111 people are dying in our streets from suicide or simply from reckless access to firearms.

Enough is enough.

So, this week as I return to Washington, I will redouble my lifelong commitment to addressing gun violence in our country. After Buffalo, the House passed my Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act. Last month, I helped pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which President Biden signed into law. The House has now twice passed the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and the Enhanced Background Checks Act, and I am calling on the Senate to do the same.

But we must do more, including banning assault rifles - getting these military-style weapons off our streets and out of our communities. I will work to end access to large-capacity magazines that allow a shooter to fire 80 rounds in less than a minute. I will seek to make trafficking of guns across state lines a federal crime. And I will continue to promote investment in our nation's mental health, in particular supporting the services needed for our young people still struggling from the impact of the pandemic.

I join all in Illinois and across the country in sending condolences to the families of those killed and praying for the full recovery of everyone suffering, both physically and emotionally. Again, we will never forget, and we will ensure that the memory of those murdered will forever be a blessing.

• Congressman Brad Schneider is a Democrat from Highland Park.