DelBene Supports Gun Control Reforms

Statement

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) cosponsored commonsense gun control reform bills as legislation was reintroduced in the 115th Congress.

DelBene is an original cosponsor of the Recognizing Gun Violence as a Public Health Epidemic Act, which would end the ban on federally funded research into gun violence prevention. She is also a cosponsor of the Assault Weapons Ban Act -- both of which were recently reintroduced.

"Now, not after the next tragedy, is the time for Congress to act to protect our communities from this senseless cycle of gun violence. Speaker Ryan, allow us to vote at least on the ideas with bipartisan support, such as federally funded research on gun violence, background checks on all gun sales and banning bump stocks just to name a few," DelBene said. "As lawmakers, we have a responsibility to protect our communities. And while there is no one law that will prevent every single instance of violence, we can and must do more."

The Recognizing Gun Violence as a Public Health Epidemic Act would order the Surgeon General to provide Congress with an annual report on the public health implications of gun violence and the status of any actions taken to address the issue. And H.R. 5087 would prohibit the manufacture, possession, sale or transfer of military style assault weapons and devices designed to convert a semi-automatic weapon into the near equivalent of a fully automatic machine gun, as well as high-capacity magazines. DelBene is also a cosponsor of the bipartisan Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act (H.R. 4240) to strengthen background checks.

DelBene cosponsored these same bills in the 114th Congress. More than 13,000 Americans are killed by gun violence each year.

Source