Hollywood A-listers pen open letter to Congress on gun violence

(Reuters)

Some of Hollywood's biggest stars and executives teamed up in an open letter published in Billboard calling for Congress to "stop gun violence now."

"[Billboard] editors reached out to those we cover in the music industry, and asked for their support and their signatures to help seek a sane and safe end to gun violence," the letter begins.

It continues, "As leading artists and executives in the music industry, we are adding our voices to the chorus of Americans demanding change...We call on Congress to do more to prevent the gun violence that kills more than 90 Americans every day and injures hundreds more."

The letter asks Congress to pass laws that "require a background check for every gun sale" and "block suspected terrorists from buying guns."

Billy Joel, Katy Perry, Paul McCartney, Britney Spears, Cher, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Joe Jonas, Kesha, Barbra Streisand, Alicia Keys, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Pearl Jam, Christina Aguilera, the Dixie Chicks, Ellen DeGeneres and many more are among the list of nearly 200 signatures.