Rep. Kelly Applauds Senate Gun Violence Prevention Framework

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) released the following statement applauding the bipartisan Senate gun violence prevention legislative framework, which includes her work to prevent gun trafficking:

“This bipartisan framework is a remarkable step forward in saving lives. Although this package will not include every action we need to take on gun violence prevention, it is progress,” said Congresswoman Robin Kelly. “I’m thrilled that the framework includes my work to prevent gun trafficking, will expand access to mental telehealth services and require more federal firearms dealers to run background checks on customers. These are commonsense reforms. Supporting this legislation should be a no-brainer and I urge my Senate colleagues to vote in favor of the bill. The American people want change. This legislation will have an impact.”

The Senate deal includes:

• Penalties for straw purchasing. This bill cracks down on criminals who illegally straw purchase and traffic guns.
• Funding to help states adopt and set up their own “red flag” laws. This will help states create and administer laws that help ensure deadly weapons are kept out of the hands of individuals whom a court has determined to be a significant danger to themselves or others.
• Investment in child and family mental health services. These major investments will increase access to mental health and suicide prevention programs and other support services such as crisis and trauma intervention and recovery.
• Protections for victims of domestic violence. Convicted domestic violence abusers and individuals subject to domestic violence restraining orders are included in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
• Funding for school-based mental health services. This bill invests in programs to expand mental health and supportive services in schools, including early identification and intervention programs and school-based mental health and wrap-around services.
• Funding for school safety resources. The package invests in programs to help institute safety measures in and around primary and secondary schools, support school violence prevention efforts and provide training to school personnel and students.
• Clarification of the definition of Federally Licensed Firearms dealers, and cracks down on criminals who illegally evade licensing requirements.
• Telehealth investments. The bill invests in programs that increase access to mental and behavioral health services for youth and families in crisis via telehealth.
• An enhanced review process for buyers under 21. For buyers under 21, this bill would require an investigative period to review juvenile and mental health records, including checks with state databases and local law enforcement.

Background on Rep. Kelly’s gun violence prevention work

Rep. Kelly serves as Vice Chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Taskforce. She is the author of the 2014 Kelly Report on Gun Violence in America, which recommended some of the policies included in the Senate framework, such as keeping guns from high-risk individuals.  

Congresswoman Kelly introduced the Prevent Gun Trafficking Act, which establishes new federal offenses for gun trafficking and for the use of “straw purchases.” Under current federal law, it is illegal to make false statements on certain gun purchase forms, but these forms are only required for some firearm purchases. This legislation will ensure that straw purchasing can be prosecuted as an independent offense.

Rep. Kelly has requested $750 million in evidence-based community violence intervention funding from the Appropriations committee for FY2023.

She is also author of the Keeping Guns from High Risk Individuals Act, the Local Public Health and Safety Protection Act, the Recognizing Gun Violence as a Public Health Emergency Act, the Firearm Safety Act, the Creating Pathways for Youth Employment Act and the HERO for Youth Act.

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