Congresswoman Kelly Reintroduces 3 Gun Violence Prevention Bills

Washington, D.C. – In recognition of National Gun Violence Survivors Week, Congresswoman Robin Kelly reintroduced three key gun violence prevention bills for the 117^th 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."

"Brady applauds Congresswoman Kelly for her constant leadership in the fight to end gun violence in America," said Kris Brown, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. "Her efforts to save lives during Gun Violence Survivors Week, when our country strives to elevate the voices of those most affected by gun violence, is just the most recent example of how she has championed gun violence prevention since her very first day in Congress. Brady thanks Congresswoman Kelly for her commitment to addressing our nation's gun violence epidemic."

On Friday, Rep. Kelly reintroduced Recognizing Gun Violence as a Public Health Emergency Act, Keeping Guns from High Risk Individuals Act, and the Firearm Safety Act.

The Recognizing Gun Violence as a Public Health Emergency Act would require the Surgeon General to submit to Congress an annual report on the public health impacts of gun violence on our communities. The report would collect data on the deaths, disabilities, mental health ailments or economic hardships stemming from gun violence. It would provide the public and policymakers with research-based information to make informed decisions on how best to protect Americans from these dangers.

"Just like the Surgeon General's landmark study of smoking, this report will examine the full picture of gun violence and its long-term impacts," Congresswoman Kelly said.

Original co-sponsors of the bill were Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA), Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI), Rep. Danny K. Davis (D-IL), and Rep. Stacey Plaskett (D-VI).

The Keeping Guns from High Risk Individuals Act would prohibit the sale or transfer of guns to individuals who have been convicted of certain aggressive and high-risk behaviors.

"Shockingly, it's still legal for convicted stalkers to purchase a gun in nearly half of U.S. states," Congresswoman Kelly said. "Federal law currently does not include stalkers within the definition of ‘domestic abuser' and many criminals are able to purchase firearms too soon after their conviction. This bill protects innocent lives from the deficiency in federal gun laws."

Original co-sponsors of the bill were Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI), Rep. Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Rep. Stacey Plaskett (D-VI).

The Firearm Safety Act would bring guns and ammunition under the jurisdiction of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). This common sense reform would allow the CPSC – which already oversees hazardous products that pose a threat to American consumers – to issue safety standards for guns and ammunition that will help reduce gun-related deaths.

"The CPSC currently has jurisdiction over more than 15,000 kinds of consumer products used in and around the home, yet guns are virtually the only consumer product not regulated for health and safety," Rep. Kelly said. "If the CPSC is allowed to regulate relatively benign consumer products, like teddy bears and bicycles, they certainly should also be allowed to regulate guns, which pose a far greater threat to consumers."

Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI), and Rep. Stacey Plaskett (D-VI) were original co-sponsors of the bill.

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