Protecting Our Kids Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Madam Speaker, for years I have heard that tired argument that gun violence prevention legislation won't work. ``Just look at Chicago,'' they say, ``where residents have some of the strictest gun laws but the highest rates of gun violence.''

The reason for that is simple--gun trafficking. More than 60 percent of guns used in crimes in Chicago come from out of State, and we are not the only city where this happens.

According to the ATF, from just 2016 to 2020, one-third of the more than 1.3 million crime guns recovered and traced by law enforcement were brought in across State lines. These guns are purchased in States with lax laws, trafficked across State lines, and then sold to people in our State who we know should not have a gun.

In Illinois, we are doing everything we can to protect our residents. Our neighbors are failing us. That is why I introduced the Prevent Gun Trafficking Act, and why I am so glad this solution is included in the Protecting Our Kids Act. This is a simple, commonsense solution. Making straw purchasing a Federal crime will help stop the flow of guns into our communities from out of State. Most importantly, it will save lives.

Stopping gun trafficking and straw purchasing is just one step we can take to eliminate gun violence. The Protecting Our Kids Act is a smart, broad approach to a complex issue. Passing this bill is the next step forward in saving children, and we cannot wait.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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