Rep. Cleaver Vows to Continue Push for Legislation to End Gun Violence

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II reaffirmed his commitment to put People Over Politics and continue working to pass commonsense gun safety legislation that will lead to safer communities throughout Missouri.

"Since the unfortunate end of the assault weapons ban in 2004, the United States has seen an explosion of weapons of war in our streets--and the results are a tragedy that strikes every community and weighs on the heart of every American across the country," said Congressman Cleaver. "We've seen far too many families forced to bear the horrific burden of a child lost to gun violence and far too many neighborhoods devastated by the unrelenting production and importation of firearms into their communities. While I am proud to have helped pass the first major piece of gun safety legislation in decades earlier this year via the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, it's clear that more must be done to save lives. I am more committed than ever to passing commonsense reforms that would keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of criminals, and I implore my colleagues in the United States Senate to help in this endeavor."

Missouri currently has the fifth-highest rate of gun deaths in the United States. On average, 1,288 Missourians die from gun violence and 2,312 people are wounded by guns every year, costing every Missourian an average of $2,875 per year.

Congressman Cleaver has been an ardent supporter of commonsense gun violence prevention laws, including legislation to require background checks for all gun sales, close loopholes that let dangerous people get guns, ban assault weapons, and keep our children safe, such as:

The Bipartisan Background Checks Act, which would establish new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties and close loopholes that allow criminals and abusers to buy weapons unchecked.
The Enhanced Background Checks Act, which would close the Charleston loophole that 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, which 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, which 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, which bans military-style weapons, such as AR-15s, and high-capacity ammunition magazines that are frequently used in horrific mass shootings.

Due to the Senate filibuster and the GOP's extreme opposition to life-saving gun violence prevention legislation, each of these bills have been blocked in the United States Senate.

"The overwhelming majority of Americans support laws that would require universal background checks, prevent criminals and domestic abusers from accessing firearms, and close loopholes that make it easier than ever for dangerous individuals to obtain deadly weapons that can then be used in mass shootings. It's way past time for my friends across the aisle to side with the American people, not the gun lobby, and help us pass gun safety legislation that will save lives and lead to safer communities for the American people," said Congressman Cleaver.

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