Every day, 100 Americans die from gun violence. June is Gun Violence Awareness Month and I'm working to make our communities safer.
As a lifelong hunter and gun owner, I believe in a law-abiding individual's right to own a firearm. I also know we have a responsibility to help keep our schools, streets, and communities safe. Gun violence prevention isn't a choice between reducing violence and protecting the Second Amendment. It's about the willingness of a responsible majority to do both.
That mission is why I serve as Chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force—because I know that commonsense policies can successfully keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous people without infringing on Americans' rights.
Two years ago this month, my colleagues and I demonstrated just that when we passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) into law. The BSCA is the most significant federal gun violence prevention legislation signed into law in 30 years and provides funding for commonsense measures like community violence intervention, school mental health resources, expanded background checks, and more.
These policies are working to keep guns out of dangerous hands. Just this week, news broke that under the BSCA's gun trafficking provisions, law enforcement has already charged over 500 gun traffickers.
But our work isn't done. The Supreme Court ruled recently to legalize bump stocks, an add-on accessory which allows a semi-automatic firearm to operate like a machinegun.
Kids shouldn't be scared to go to school, and parents shouldn't worry they may never see their child again when they leave the house. I remain committed to advancing commonsense policies that help keep our friends and families safe.
By Congressman Mike Thompson
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