Scanlon Applauds President Biden’s Actions to Prevent Gun Violence

Chester, PA – Today, Representative Mary Gay Scanlon praised President Biden for addressing the epidemic of gun violence in the United States following his announcement of six executive actions to reduce all forms of gun violence: community violence, mass shootings, domestic violence, and suicide by firearm.

“Communities in my district have been traumatized by senseless gun violence over and over again. Lives have been forever changed by the gun violence that children and families experience firsthand and see happening in other local communities,” said Rep. Scanlon. “Gun violence has become the second leading cause of death for children in this country, and the number one cause of death for Black children. Nearly two thirds of gun deaths are suicides, and over 50 women are fatally shot by an intimate partner every month. Recent high-profile mass shootings like those in Boulder and Atlanta further underscore the relentless toll of this uniquely American issue.”

Rep. Scanlon continued, “I am grateful to be working now with an administration committed to ending this epidemic. From leading the fight in Congress to pass common sense gun safety laws, to spearheading the gun violence prevention task force in the wake of Sandy Hook, today’s actions build upon President Biden’s long-standing record of combating gun violence.”

“But Congress can and must go further too,” added Rep. Scanlon. “Closing loopholes in the background check system that currently allows ineligible people, including felons, to purchase firearms online or at gun sales, banning assault weapons and high capacity magazines, and passing extreme risk protection or “red flag” laws are all immediate, constitutional steps we could take to begin to curb gun-related deaths. Americans overwhelmingly agree that we need to take action to reduce gun violence, make our communities safer, and save lives.”

The Biden-Harris Administration announced the following six actions today:

• The Justice Department, within 30 days, will issue a proposed rule to help stop the proliferation of “ghost guns.” Law enforcement agencies across PA-05 have been asking for help to fight the influx of these untraceable guns than can be assembled from kits in as little as 30 minutes. This proposed rule will help stop the proliferation of these firearms.
• The Justice Department, within 60 days, will issue a proposed rule to make clear that devices marketed as a stabilizing brace are subject to the National Firearms Act. These devices effectively turn a pistol into a short-barreled shotgun or rifle; the weapon used in the Boulder, CO mass shooting last month was equipped with such a device.
• The Justice Department, within 60 days, will publish model “red flag” or “extreme risk protection act” legislation for states. This model legislation will assist states to enact laws, which allow family members or law enforcement to obtain a court order temporarily barring people in crisis from accessing firearms if they present a danger to themselves or others.
• The Justice Department will issue an annual report on firearms trafficking. The Justice Department will issue a new, comprehensive report on firearms trafficking – which hasn’t been done since 2000 – and annual updates necessary to give policymakers the information they need to help address firearms trafficking today.
• The Administration is investing in substantive evidence-based community violence interventions – proven strategies for reducing gun violence in urban communities. Because cities across the country are experiencing a historic spike in homicides, the Biden-Harris Administration is directing five federal agencies to modify 26 programs that will route vital support to community violence intervention programs as quickly as possible. This also adds to the proposed $5 billion investment in the American Jobs Plan that will support community violence intervention programs.

Read more about the Administration’s plans at whitehouse.gov.