Gun Violence Prevention
Over the past five years in the United States, over 100,000 people have been killed as a result of gun violence and millions have been victims of other crimes involving a gun. Mass shootings have become far too common with tragedies occurring everywhere from schools and places of worship to concerts. According to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, an average of 318 people are injured and 96 people die due to gun violence every day in America. I am deeply concerned with the continued gun violence in our country and I support enacting and enforcing measures to protect innocent people from the terror of gun violence.
During this Congress alone, there have been numerous mass shootings that have shattered families and communities across the country. After each one, Congress holds a moment of silence but without action and meaningful policy change, our moments of silence will just continue to signify inaction. During his time in office President Obama enacted a number of executive actions to combat gun violence in our country and make our communities safer. However, it is ultimately up to Congress to pass long-term reforms and we have failed. While there are dozens of pieces of legislation that have been introduced in the 115th Congress to limit the proliferation of dangerous weapons, none have been brought to the floor for a vote.
As a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, I am a cosponsor of common sense legislation and I will continue to push Speaker Ryan to hold a vote on the House floor. Among the legislation I have cosponsored is H.R. 5087, the Assault Weapons Ban, introduced by Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI). This legislation would reinstate the ban on the sale, transfer, manufacturing, and importation of semiautomatic weapons and ammunition feeding devices capable of accepting more than ten rounds, while protecting assault weapons used by members of the military and law enforcement. I am also a cosponsor of H.R. 1478, the Gun Violence Research Act, introduced by Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), which would repeal the Dickey Amendment and allow the Centers for Disease Prevention to sponsor research on the causes of gun violence. It is my hope that my colleagues will come together to pass meaningful gun safety reforms because protecting people from gun violence should not be a partisan issue.
To stay updated on recent legislation that I have cosponsored, please continue to check this page.
Cosponsored Legislation
- H.R. 3984, the Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act
- H.R. 3962, the Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act of 2017
- H.R. 1478, the Gun Violence Research Act
- H.R. 4052, the Keep Americans Safe Act
- H.R. 4268, the Gun Safety: Not Sorry Act of 2017
- H.R. 2598, the Gun Violence Restraining Order Act of 2017
- H.R. 4342, the Fire Sale Loophole Closing Act
- H.R. 5087, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2018
- H.R. 5383, the Ammunition Background Check Act of 2018
- H.R. 4240, the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Act of 2017
- H.R. 4142, the Safer Communities Act of 2017
- H.R. 3947, the Automatic Gunfire Prevention Act
- H.R. 3613, the Safer Neighborhoods Gun Buyback Act of 2017
- H.R. 1475, the Gun Trafficking Prevention Act of 2017
More on Gun Violence Prevention
(Washington, D.C.) - Last week, Congressman Albio Sires (D-NJ) joined co-sponsors Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ), and Congressman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) to announce the Handgun Licensing and Registration Act of 2018. This legislation would overturn an outdated 1986 law to build a framework of commonsense standards for handgun gun ownership in the United States by creating a federal licensing and registration process for gun ownership with minimum requirements that:
While in Washington this week, I attended a Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing on how Congress may best protect U.S. businesses in the international marketplace, cosponsored a resolution condemning the Russian chemical weapon attack in the U.K., and held a number of meetings. Additionally, the House passed school safety legislation which will enable schools to utilize violence prevention strategies. Finally, I attended a Foreign Affairs Committee markup which considered legislation on human rights violations in Iran.
While in Washington this week, I participated in a press conference announcing the introduction of a Congressional Review Act (CRA) to restore net neutrality, and hosted a number of meetings at my Washington D.C. office.
This week in Washington, the nation struggled to come to terms with yet another incident of mass gun violence which targeted young students at a Florida high school. The President also released an overpromised, yet underfunded infrastructure plan and a misguided budget proposal for fiscal year (FY) 2019. Additionally, I attended a Transportation Subcommittee hearing, a Western Hemisphere Subcommittee hearing and held a number of meetings.
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Congressman Sires released the following statement regarding yesterday’s shooting in Parkland, Florida:
As the new year begins, the growing unfinished business that remains is a pressing reminder of the work yet to be done when Congress returns to begin the second session of the 115th Congress on January 8th. Over the year, I have received almost 44,000 calls, letters, faxes and emails from constituents to voice your opinions on issues that have the greatest impact on the 8th District of New Jersey.
This week in Washington, I voted to pass disaster assistance for Puerto Rico, cosponsored more legislation to address the gun violence epidemic, met with the Prime Minister of Srpska, and discussed the Iran deal at a Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing.
While in Washington this week, I cosponsored several pieces of legislation that would make it harder for guns to be converted, managed two bills on the House Floor, and I pressed a panel at the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee Hearing on the urgent need for investment in transportation infrastructure. I also met with members of the New Jersey Education Association to discuss education priorities.
(Washington, D.C.) – This week, in the wake of the senseless tragedy in Las Vegas that claimed dozens of lives, Congressman Sires joined his colleagues to introduce H.R. 3962, the Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act, led by Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) and H.R. 3947, the Automatic Gunfire Prevention Act, led by Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI).
While in Washington last week, I attended a hearing, held meetings, spoke on the House Floor, voted on, and cosponsored, important legislation.