Reducing Gun Violence

Gun violence is unfortunately not a rare occurrence in our country.  The massacres such as the ones we have witnessed in Newtown, Oak Creek, Aurora and Tucson each shook the nation, and every couple of months there seems to be another tragedy.  We all want to see senseless violence end.  Regrettably, little action is taken to prevent the next tragedy, even in the aftermath of horrific events. 

I believe it is time to enact sensible, responsible gun laws, while still protecting a law-abiding citizens’ constitutional right to bear arms. There are reasonable steps that Congress can take to keep the deadliest weapons off our streets and to reduce these instances of violence.

We must also take a comprehensive approach toward violence, investigating its root causes and investing in programs to help prevent crime before it happens. This means making mental-health treatment readily available to those who need it and providing safe places for kids who otherwise might turn to gangs or violence.

I have called on my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to unite behind these proposals, and I pledge to do all that I can to ensure that they become law.  I believe it is time for Congress and the country to engage in a national conversation about measures that can be taken to enact safe, sensible policy that will help to reduce gun violence while respecting American’s Second Amendment rights.

Advocating for Proposals to Curb Gun Violence

Congressman Schneider sent a letter to the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force making recommendations on actions that can and should be taken to reduce gun violence in our country.  He called for renewal of an Assault Weapons Ban and passage of new laws to close the gun show loophole, require disclosure of sales of large quantities of ammunition, ban incendiary ammunition and bullets with nonstick coating and restrict the production of high capacity magazines.  You can read his letter here.

Gathering Input from Community Leaders

Congressman Schneider hosted two roundtables in Wheeling and North Chicago with police chiefs, local elected officials and constituents to discuss how to combat gun violence at the federal, state and local levels. You can read more about Congressman Schneider’s roundtables here and here.

Cosponsored the Gun Trafficking Prevention Act

Congressman Schneider cosponsored legislation that would—for the first time—make gun trafficking a criminal offense.  It would also toughen penalties on straw buyers who purchase a gun for another individual in an effort to circumvent background checks.  You can watch Congressman Schneider’s Fox Chicago interview on the importance of new legislation, including gun trafficking laws, here.

Watch Congressman Schneider speak on the House Floor about the need for sensible new gun laws here.

Cosponsored the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act

Congressman Schneider cosponsored the Manchin-Toomey compromise language on background checks for firearms purchases.  The bill has three major components: expand the existing background check system, strengthen the existing instant check system and establish a National Commission on Mass Violence to study the causes of mass violence.  Read his statement on the measure here.