Justice

Amy Schumer Calls Out the Biggest Reason Why We Can't Stop Mass Shootings

August 11th 2015

Amy Schumer addressed the topic of gun violence again over the weekend at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland, stating that she believes "money" is holding the U.S. back from effectively tackling the issue.

Last week, the comedian teamed up with her cousin Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) for a press conference calling for stronger background checks on people who want to purchase guns. Her activism on this topic follows the recent movie theater shooting during a "Trainwreck" showing in Louisiana.

Amy Schumer, who wrote and starred in "Trainwreck," noted that the tragedy "felt really personal" since it happened during a screening of her film.

“You know it’s really not my area of expertise but it really upset me,” Schumer said at the Locarno Film Festival, according to the Hollywood Reporter. “It felt really personal to me. In terms of what’s going on in our Congress and why this has been such an ongoing issue is very frustrating.”

When asked why our country has failed at tackling gun control, she said, “I think it’s money.”

At last week's conference, Schumer was overwhelmed with emotion as she talked about the United States' gun control problem and the "Trainwreck" shooting, which left two young women dead. She also made a subtle but important statement when she refused to identify the gunman by name.

 

"These shootings have got to stop," Schumer said at the conference. "For me, the pain I share with so many other Americans on the issue of gun violence was made extremely personal to me on July 23 when ... I'm not even going to say his name ... He sat down for my movie 'Trainwreck' at The Grand Theater in Lafayette, Louisiana. Two lives were tragically lost and others injured. And I've thought about these victims each day since the tragedy."

"Preventing dangerous people from getting guns is very possible,” Amy Schumer said, adding that she was “devastated” and “angry” about the recent theater shooting in Louisiana. "These are my first public comments on the issue of gun violence, but I promise you they will not be my last," Schumer said.

"I wanted to do something that it was something about restrictions and protecting their families maybe it would be effective," the actress continued. "I’m expecting a backlash and I’ll handle it."

Schumer, who says she's received death threats for her comedy, went on to appear on "The Daily Show" during Jon Stewart's last week hosting the program and discussed her gun control efforts.

“This is a horrible thing," Stewart said. "This movie is amazing, but this crazy shooting that happened, that must have rocked you to your core."

“Yeah, what a bummer," Schumer responded. "I was legit heartbroken. I got a call, and I had a lot of missed calls, so I assumed there was a sex tape of me out or something and I was kind of preparing for that and to hear that news broke my heart."

Share your opinion

Do you think we need stricter gun control laws in the United States?

No 24%Yes 76%