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Rep. Kelly reintroduces 3 gun violence prevention bills

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., has reintroduced before Congress three key gun violence prevention bills — Recognizing Gun Violence as a Public Health Emergency, Keeping Guns from High Risk Individual Act and the Firearm Safety Act.

With a new administration and a new Senate, I believe we have a good chance to pass meaningful legislation,” said Kelly, who represents Homewood and Flossmoor in Congress.

Kelly’s efforts have the support of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. The bills were introduced during National Gun Violence Survivors Week, Feb. 1 through 7.

The Recognizing Gun Violence as a Public Health Act would require the U.S. Surgeon General to submit to Congress an annual report on the public health impacts of gun violence on 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,” Kelly said.

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,” the congresswoman 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.”

The Firearm Safety Act would bring guns and ammunition under the jurisdiction of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Kelly said 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,” 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.” 

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