Father of slain TV reporter, Allison Parker, spoke at a rally last Thursday to demand action from lawmakers to take immediate action against the widespread occurrence of gun violence.
"We have to do whatever it takes to fix this problem," said Andy Parker, according to New York Daily News.
"I know that weakening the stranglehold of the gun lobby won't happen overnight," he added. "I know, too, that passing background check laws won't prevent all acts of gun violence from taking place. But we must keep the pressure on our lawmakers until they do the right thing. And if they won't, find their replacement."
Everytown for Gun Safety in America, an organization that is funded by ex-New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, organized the event. The rally, attended by family members of victims of gun violence, was held commemorate the 1000th day after the Newtown mass shooting in December 2012.
Present in the rally with Parker were Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe and other two state senators. They wanted the Congress to review the 2013 voting on legislation that requires background checks for online gun purchases or during gun shows.
"Can't we at least take a first step in terms of background checks?" Gov. Mark Warner asked, according to the Associated Press.
Powerful words at the @momsdemand and @everytown #WhateverItTakes rally today. https://t.co/iZXrYS4D5c pic.twitter.com/DuClO0Jnf6
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) September 10, 2015
Virginia Representative Bob Goodlatte, member of the National Rifle Association, is the representative of the district where Parker's daughter Alison Parker and cameraman, Adam Ward, were shot. Goodlatte's staff relayed a message requesting Parker to meet with the representative around 10:30 a.m. on Thursday but the rally started at 11 a.m.
"I think he kinda knows that I'm not a happy guy with him," Parker said, according to Politico.
"Starting tomorrow I will meet with anyone, any place, any time," Parker said regarding the missed meeting. "So Rep. Goodlatte I am waiting for your call. But sir I'd like to tell you in advance if you won't support background checks we'll find someone else who will."
Goodlatte said that he feels for the families of the victims but solutions for gun violence cannot be easily attained, Politico added.
