Issue Position: Crime

Issue Position

As a social worker, Congressman Towns knows that crime against any individual has a substantial impact across a community. He also understands that eliminating the threat of crime requires systemic change on many fronts. As a member of the bi-partisan Congressional Victims Rights Caucus, Congressman Towns fights to support the efforts of law enforcement and provide assistance to victims of crime and their families. By supporting federal funding for mentoring opportunities for disconnected youth; improving public education and providing safe places for children to play, Congressman Towns is working to ensure a safer community.

Congressman Towns has supported the following crime prevention and victim protection bills in the 111th Congress:

* HR 2159, the Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2009 that denies firearms to known or suspected terrorists, specifically when the authorities have a reasonable belief that the individual may use the firearm in connection with a terrorist act.

* HR 2324, the Gun Show Loophole Closing Act of 2009 which requires a criminal background check on firearm transactions at gun shows.

* HR 1064, the Youth PROMISE Act which creates local, Brooklyn panels that would address youth violence issues by providing opportunities, mentoring, intervention, support and education to at-risk youth.

Additionally, he is currently working on legislation that would designate the second week of February as National Urban Crime Awareness Week to highlight the issue and its national impact as well as the Gun Trafficking Prevention Act that would include tools for law enforcement to go after gun traffickers, regulate problematic gun dealers and provide additional resources for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Updated July 26, 2011

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