Gun Violence
WASHINGTON — Right before 3 p.m. on Valentine's Day, Bryan Witzmann felt his heart break again. The Chiefs' lineman — all 6'7, 304 pounds of him — was sitting at his desk in the office of Robin Kelly, a black Democrat from Chicago, whom he is working for this offseason. On the TV in the office, a breaking news chyron came on the screen: There had been a shooting at a school in Florida.
Congresswoman Robin Kelly today announced that Kankakee County was awarded a $244,382 federal grant to fund violence prevention programs at Kankakee School District 111 and other county schools. The grant includes mental health crisis intervention and suicide prevention strategies.
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Robin Kelly, vice chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, released this statement following the passage of Bipartisan Background Check Act(H.R. 8) and H.R. 1112, which would close the Charleston Loophole, by the House Judiciary Committee:
Washington, DC – Yesterday, Congresswoman Robin Kelly, vice chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, addressed Congressional inaction on gun violence during the Congressional Black Caucus Special Order Hour.
She began: "It's sickening to me that I am here again….I can't believe I've been here 5 years and we have not brought one piece of gun violence legislation to the floor….I guess they [House Republicans] don't care enough about our kids dying."
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Robin Kelly, vice chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, joined her colleagues in a solidarity walk out with students across the country.
Washington, DC – Yesterday, Congresswoman Robin Kelly introduced the Preventing Gun Trafficking Act, H.R. 4116, legislation to make straw purchases a federal crime.
MATTESON, IL – Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02), Vice Chair of the Congressional Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, today launched a survey for constituents to share their personal experiences with the gun violence epidemic. Rep. Kelly has introduced a resolution to mark June as Gun Violence Awareness Month in honor of Hadiya Pendleton, who was killed in Chicago in 2013.
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Robin Kelly joined House Democrats to demand action to save American lives from gun violence.
A united House Democratic caucus called on Speaker Ryan to establish a Select Committee on gun violence prevention, allow a vote on the King-Thompson universal background check bill and permanently table the SHARE Act, which would deregulate silencers and cop-killer bullets.
Matteson, IL – Congresswoman Robin Kelly, a member of the bipartisan House Task Force on Community-Police Relations, released this statement marking National Police Week:
"Each year, we pause to remember the brave men and women – including my uncles, cousins and nephews – who put on the uniform every day.
As we mark National Police Week, I'm asking my colleagues to truly commit to protecting our law enforcement officers. But, that's not possible until we address our lax and non-existent gun laws that have allowed criminals to target and outgun law enforcement.
Washington, D.C. – In recognition of National Gun Violence Survivors Week, Congresswoman Robin Kelly reintroduced three key gun violence prevention bills for the 117th Congress.
"I honor the strength and advocacy of our survivors by introducing commonsense gun reforms that will protect our families from losing precious loved ones through senseless gun violence," Congresswoman Kelly said. "With a new Administration and a new Senate, I believe we have a good chance to pass meaningful legislation."