The Congresswoman and Mayor Call for Additional Action in Wake of 30 Shot in Highland Park Mass Shooting & 70 Shot in Chicago Over Independence Day Weekend

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Congresswoman Robin L. Kelly (IL-02) and Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot held a press conference with gun violence prevention advocates to underscore the lifesaving impact the recently-passed Bipartisan Safer Communities Act will have on Chicago. Rep. Kelly and Mayor Lightfoot also called for Congress to bring forward further gun violence prevention legislation after 71 people were shot in Chicago this weekend, 10 fatally, and six people were shot fatally and 24 injured in the Highland Park Independence Day Parade mass shooting.

"It's clear that Chicagoland and communities across the country need immediate investments in community violence intervention and the stricter gun trafficking enforcement, expanded background checks and red flag laws that the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act will bring," said Congresswoman Robin Kelly. "However, the gun violence seen in Chicago and in Highland Park this weekend shows us that this legislation will not be enough. This cannot be the end of our work. We will not - as some in Illinois suggested this weekend -- "just move on.' I will return to Washington next week ready to continue my work to protect all Americans from gun violence."

"Common sense gun legislation is critically needed in this moment to make an impact on public safety, not just in Chicago, but across our nation," said Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. "I thank and applaud Congresswoman Robin Kelly for her courage and tenacity bringing forth the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act--the most significant gun legislation of the last 30 years. I am confident that we will see the lifesaving impacts of this bill and further protect residents from gun violence."

Rep. Kelly and Mayor Lightfoot were joined by gun violence prevention advocates Dr. Chicago Tillmon, Executive Director of READI Chicago, Father Mike Pfleger of St. Sabina Church and Pam Bosley of the Terrell Bosley Anti-Violence Association.

"This bill is going to make a great impact in this country. We must understand this is a beginning, this is not the end. This is not going to change the whole picture. Until there are comprehensive, universal background checks across this country, we won't change that. This is one step forward. We have many more steps to take," said Father Mike Pfleger.

"Community violence intervention is a complementary strategy to policing, not a replacement. We work on the front end to stop violence before an individual decides to act. More than 70 people were shot in Chicago this weekend including 10 fatalities. These ongoing occurrences have to stop. I thank everyone who is involved in making our communities safe as they work to pass this legislation for not only this bill but committing their lives toward healing Black and Brown communities and making it safe for us to live," said Dr. Chico Tillmon, Executive Director of READI Chicago.

"My oldest son Terrell's life was ended on the grounds of a church in 2006. This tragedy devastated me and my family. I never thought in a million years that I would ever be standing here talking about one of my sons. My husband and I did everything we knew how to do to protect our three sons. I suffer with this pain every single day," said Pam Bosley, of the Terrell Bosley Anti-Violence Association. "After many long years of traveling to DC and advocating, we have a bill, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, passed that will save lives. I thank Congresswoman Kelly for her work to pass this historic bill we've been fighting for. We still have more to do."

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act will implement common-sense, bipartisan measures to protect America's children, keep our communities safe and curb gun violence across our country, including:

Support for State Crisis Intervention Orders: Incentivizing states to implement extreme risk protection order laws to keep weapons out of the hands of individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others.
Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence: Closing the "Boyfriend Loophole" by adding convicted abusers to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
Cracking Down on Gun Trafficking and Straw Purchases: Preventing dangerous individuals from illegally evading background checks by establishing new federal criminal offenses that cover straw purchasing and trafficking.
Enhanced Background Checks for Buyers Under 21: Requiring longer, enhanced background checks of up to ten days for gun buyers under 21 years of age.
Anti-Violence Community Initiatives: Providing $250 million in funding for community-based violence prevention initiatives.
Child and Family Mental Health Services: Improving access to mental health services for children, youth and families through Medicaid, CHIP and other programs.
Investments in School Safety: Expanding mental health and supportive services in schools, including early identification and intervention programs.

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