ORLANDO, Fla. — Gun violence continues to be a major topic for many across America, and Thursday in Orlando, Congressman Maxwell Frost hosted a forum to discuss gun violence in the community as well as the nation.

What You Need To Know

  • Rep. Maxwell Frost held a gun violence town hall Thursday in Orlando

  • He is the lead sponsor for “The Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act of 2023”

  • He says so far no Republicans have co-sponsored his bill

  • Experts say 100 people die and 300 are injured every day because of gun violence

Families impacted by violence, law enforcement and other local leaders were on hand.

Currently Frost is the lead sponsor of the federal bill dubbed “The Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act of 2023.” He says he has 70 co-sponsors for the bill, but none of them are Republicans.

“If you have a child, and they are under the age of 18, the most likely reason they would die in this country young is because of bullets,” Frost said to a group of about 100 people Thursday at Saint Mark AME Church.

Family members who lost a loved one to gun violence were asked to come up the podium and say their name ahead of a moment of silence.

T’Yonna Major was only 9 years old when she, Natacha Augustin and Spectrum News reporter Dylan Lyons were killed in a string of Pine Hills shootings in February.

Major’s parents were on hand to show support to other families who have been what they have been through, and want to see a change in gun laws.

“I’ve been there,” Tokiyo Major said. “When I see someone who lost someone to gun violence, I reach out to them. I’ve been there, its a hurtful thing.”

According to Frost, gun deaths are happening too often in the U.S., and little is being done to stop it. He said 100 people are killed and more than 300 are injured in shootings every day.

“Politicians are scared.” Frost said. “They are either scared or they disagree, and I have spoken with the ones that are scared. After these mass shootings, I have had these off-the-record conversations where they say they are for universal background checks but they are worried that the NRA, or the far right will put a challenge against them and they won’t be here anymore to fight for their community.”

No new gun legislation was created Thursday, but for the Major family this type of discussion gives them something.

“It makes me feel good, it makes me feel like we have some hope,” Brandi Major said. “It makes me feel like something is going to be getting done soon. It just really gives us hope.”