Too many lives are lost to gun violence. According to CDC data, gun violence is the leading cause of death of children in America. It is vitally important for Congress to continues to come together in a bipartisan manner to advance common-sense legislation. I have spoken with many members of our community who have survived and/or lost loved ones to gun violence. These conversations are a sobering reminder of the work left to be done to make our homes, schools, and communities safer. I promise to continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to reduce gun violence. In my second term, I co-sponsored and voted for H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, and H.R. 1446, the Enhanced Background Checks Act, both of which passed the House. I am also extremely proud to be a co-sponsor and to have voted to pass H.R. 1808, the Assault Weapons Ban, which prohibits the manufacturing and sale of these guns, but which does not take them away from anyone who already owns them. In the wake of the devastating shooting in Uvalde, Texas, I voted for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, a tangible and lifesaving step forward that will combat the horrific trend of gun violence and better protect our schools, children, and all Americans. It was signed into law by President Biden in late June. The bill amends current law to clarify who needs a federal license to buy and sell firearms; imposes an enhanced background check review process, including the review of juvenile mental health records for individuals 16 and older seeking to purchase a firearm; and closes the "boyfriend loophole", prohibiting individuals convicted of domestic violence crimes from purchasing or possessing a firearm for at least five years. I was honored to bring my good friend Michelle Roberson from Chester County to the 2019 State of the Union as my guest. Two years prior, Michelle’s daughter, Bianca, was fatally shot in a senseless road rage incident just a few weeks after graduating high school. Hearing her traumatic story instilled to me how personal and long-lasting the consequences of gun violence are – and how critical it is that we find solutions. It is families like the Robersons who inspire me to keep up the fight. As a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, I will continue to look for ways to support smart reforms to reduce gun violence. Gun violence affects all of us, and I will continue to work in Congress to prevent further senseless death and loss while protecting our community. |
Gun Violence Prevention
