U.S. Rep. Lawrence Vows To Keep Fighting To Prevent Gun Violence

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representative Brenda L. Lawrence (MI-14) convened a press conference with Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, Detroit Police Department Chief James White, Detroit Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison, Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield, Detroit City Councilmember Fred Durhal III, Detroit City Councilwoman Latisha Johnson, and gun violence survivor Mia Reid. Congresswoman Lawrence reaffirmed her commitment to fighting gun violence and advocated for youth gun violence prevention.

"Gun violence is a public health crisis that strikes every neighborhood and weighs on the heart of every Michgander," said U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence (MI-14). "Congress has taken important steps to end gun violence. However, there is still much work to be done and we can't do it alone. In Detroit, we as a community need to know that we all have skin in the game. I will continue fighting for life-saving reforms--like universal background checks, banning high-capacity magazines, and raising the age to buy assault weapons--which must become federal law. One death is too many. Let us maintain a clear and consistent effort to reduce gun deaths across the board and keep all Michiganders, especially our children, safe.

"I was proud to stand alongside Congresswoman Lawrence today in support of commonsense measures to make our communities safer," said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. "Tragically, gun violence happens at schools, churches, workplaces, and grocery stores, and the ripple effects cause pain and heartbreak for too many Michiganders. No one should have to live in fear of gun violence. Governor Gretchen Whitmer and I have partnered with local government officials to invest in public safety, get illegal guns off the street, and make record investments in law enforcement. We are committed to continuing these efforts and standing tall for safer Michigan communities."

"The Detroit Police Department remains committed to keeping our citizens safe and providing a family friendly environment for all citizens to live, work, and play in," said Detroit Police Department Chief James White. "As communities across the nation deal with gun violence, the Detroit Police Department stands in a united front with national, state, and local partners as we all desire and work to look at ways to reduce gun violence in our community.

"One grieving mother is one too many. In Detroit, we stand alongside our residents and work together to put an end to gun violence," said Detroit Deputy Mayor Todd A. Bettison. "Common sense gun legislation just makes sense. Enhanced background checks, age restrictions, and red flags are a step in the right direction towards keeping our children and families safe."

"The inordinate number of senseless killings that result from gun violence continues to haunt not only our city, but our country," said Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield. "Through my work and participation with organizations such as Moms Demand Action, I've heard firsthand experiences of the depth of loss and grief that gun violence causes. Their pain has motivated me to act, and I remain committed to addressing the root causes of violence in our community and ridding our City of weapons designed for war."

"In an average year, 1, 270 people die by guns in Michigan," said Founder & CEO of Charles W. Reid Community Help Center and Moms Demand Action Detroit Volunteer Group Lead Mia Reid. "Gun violence is epidemic in our country. Blacks are disproportionately impacted by gun violence and are 10 times more likely to die than whites. As a gun violence survivor and licensed therapist, I know that the impact of gun violence for some can lead to trauma. It is my purpose to help find solutions to end gun violence and ensure no other parent has to experience the devastation of losing a child to murder."

Congresswoman Lawrence voted to pass critical legislation to keep our communities safe:

The Bipartisan Background Checks Act: Establishes new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties, closing loopholes that allow criminals and abusers to buy weapons unchecked.
Enhanced Background Checks Act: Closes the Charleston loophole, which allows dealers to transfer a firearm to a buyer after 3 business days if the FBI background check has not been completed.
The Protecting Our Kids Act: Raises the purchasing age for semi-automatic weapons from 18 to 21 years old, outlaws high-capacity magazines, requires the safe storage of firearms, and bans bump stocks and untraceable and deadly ghost guns.
The Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act: Keeps guns out of the hands of people who pose a threat to themselves or others through a federal red-flag program.
The Assault Weapons Ban of 2022: Bans military-style weapons, such as AR-15s, and high-capacity ammunition magazines that have been used in many mass shootings.

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