Issue Position: Gun Violence Prevention

Issue Position

Keeping Our Communities Safe for Our Families
Over the past decade in the United States, over 100,000 people have been killed as a result of gun violence and millions have been victims of other crimes involving a gun. While I do support the Second Amendment, I am deeply concerned with the continued gun violence in our country and I support enacting and enforcing sensible regulations to reduce gun violence.

The escalation of gun violence in our country threatens the safety and security of our loved ones. During the 114th Congress, the House and Senate leadership have continuously resisted calls to bring common sense gun safety measures to a vote. I share the President's frustration with the failure of each chamber to pass reforms as mass violence incidents take place.

I am encouraged by the President's recent executive actions to combat gun violence in our country. These executive actions include common sense measures that will expand the use of background checks by all sellers of firearms, regardless of whether they sell firearms in stores, on the Internet, or at gun shows. The steps taken by the President will also make the background check system more effective and efficient. Furthermore, the President's executive actions will facilitate the reporting of mental illnesses to the background check system, increase mental health treatment across the country for those in need, and drive new research into gun safety measures.

While President Obama's executive orders will make a difference in the fight to reduce gun violence, it is ultimately up to Congress to pass long-term reforms. Throughout my time in Washington, I have supported measures aimed at reducing gun violence. During the 114th Congress, I have supported measures that will go further than the President's recent executive actions. I am an original cosponsor of H.R. 3926, the Gun Violence Research Act. H.R. 3926, introduced by Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA), would give the CDC the authority to research the causes, mechanisms, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of injuries with respect to gun violence. I am also an original cosponsor of H.R. 4269, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2015, which was introduced by Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI). This legislation would prohibit the sale, transfer, manufacturing, and importation of semiautomatic weapons and ammunition feeding devices capable of accepting more than ten rounds, while protecting hunting and sporting rifles, and assault weapons used by members of the military and law enforcement. It is my hope that Congress will come together to pass meaningful gun safety reforms.

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