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We need federal statute against gun trafficking

September 11, 2017
Editorial

The recent article titled "Gunrunner bought guns in Arkansas to sell to Chicago gangs" shows, yet again, that guns from outside Illinois are spilling blood in our streets.

This time, the trafficker was Klint Kelley buying guns in Arkansas. In March, it was Willies Biles buying guns in Indiana, and the list goes on and on.

For money, people are willing to cross state lines, buy guns and directly fuel the slow-moving massacre that is claiming the lives of Chicagoans each and every day.

According to the Chicago Police Department, more than half of all crime guns used in Chicago come from outside Illinois.

While Kelley and Biles were caught, many others aren't because Congress has refused to empower law enforcement to tackle interstate gun trafficking. There is no federal statute against interstate gun trafficking.

I'm working to pass the bipartisan Gun Trafficking Prevention Act (HR 1475) because it gives law enforcement officials the tools they need to stop guns from flowing across the border and killing our children.

Stopping the violence starts with keeping illegal guns off our streets and out of the hands of criminals. It's time to lock up murderers who didn't pull the trigger but still have blood on their hands.

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, Matteson

Read the original in the Chicago Sun-Times.

Issues:Gun Violence