US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
WASHINGTON, DC – Describing it as a win for commonsense and public safety, U.S. Senator Jack Reed praised the Senate Parliamentarian for correctly determining the effort to remove restrictions and regulations on silencers, short-barrel rifles and shotguns, and other guns that have been in place since the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934 does not fit within budget reconciliation rules, and must be removed from the Big Ugly budget bill. Republicans may attempt to rewrite their bill to pass muster, but Reed hailed today’s ruling, which came just after midnight, as a major setback for the gun lobby and a major win for the police.
“We fought this dangerous, controversial attempt to proliferate the use of silencers and remove a layer of background checks on firearm sales. Congress should not be making it easier for criminals to manipulate their guns to avoid police detection and ultimately prosecution. Senate Republicans, over the objections of law enforcement officials and communities across the country, tried to jam the public by completely removing silencers, short-barrel rifles and shotguns, and a category called “any other weapons” from the purview of the NFA. That would have meant new owners of these deadly weapons would no longer have to register them with the ATF, or follow other strict rules surrounding the ownership of these unique weapons. This is a win for commonsense and public safety,” said Senator Reed.
In an effort to prevent gun violence and reduce mass-shootings with thoughtful, effective, data-driven policy solutions, Reed teamed up with U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) this week to reintroduce a trio of gun safety bills. These three measures would help decrease the pervasive threat of gun violence nationwide by halting three-dimensional (3D) printing and distribution of “ghost guns;” strengthening accountability measures for irresponsible gun dealers; and establishing commonsense rules to prohibit the marketing of firearms to children.
The 3D Printed Gun Safety Act (S.2165) would prohibit the online distribution of blueprints and instructions that allow for the 3D printing of firearms. The proliferation of “ghost guns” is partly attributed to the ease of assembling firearms using 3D printed technology. Because 3D printing allows individuals to make firearms out of plastic, these guns may be able to evade detection by metal detectors at security checkpoints. Stopping the production of ghost guns would help keep guns out of the hands of violent criminals and black market operators; prevent traumatic incidents of gun violence; and solve more crimes.
The Keeping Gun Dealers Honest Act (S.2155) would strengthen accountability measures for irresponsible gun dealers violating the law, and provide the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) additional resources for enforcement. This legislation would ensure that guns do not end up in the wrong hands by authorizing more frequent inspections of gun dealers, increasing penalties for serious offenses, and strengthening the U.S. Department of Justice’s authority and discretion in enforcing gun laws. Congressman Seth Magaziner (RI-02) is the lead sponsor of companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Protecting Kids from Gun Marketing Act (S.2154) would direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe rules that prohibit the marketing of firearms to children. Firearm injuries are the number one cause of death among children and adolescents in the U.S. The gun industry consistently makes false and misleading claims about firearm safety and unfairly exploits children and teenagers through unfair and deceptive marketing practices that ultimately lead to fatal consequences.
The non-profit Sandy Hook Promise notes: “Gun manufacturers are actively and intentionally marketing firearms to children under 18 years old with “R-rated” content on guns. And they’re doing it through ads and social media influencers — without parental knowledge or consent.” And according to a poll commissioned by the non-profit: “82 percent of boys between 10 and 17 said they have seen at least one gun advertisement online, while social media is flooded with firearms branded with children’s cartoon characters.”
“Every day, more than 125 people in the United States die from gun violence,” said Senator Markey. “Our communities barely have a moment to mourn before gun violence in our schools and on our streets steals the lives of more Americans and rips families apart. We can’t keep living like this, and Americans can’t keep dying like this. This National Gun Violence Awareness Month, I am reintroducing my gun safety package, which includes commonsense solutions so that not one more life is lost to this unnecessary, man-made public health crisis. I will continue fighting to end the epidemic of gun violence and save lives.”
“These are common-sense gun safety policies that would help save lives and better protect people and police from gun violence. We’ve got to keep weapons of war off our streets, ensure gun dealers are complying with the law, and ensure sensible limits on the marketing of guns to children, just like we do with tobacco, alcohol, or other products,” said Senator Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee who is leading efforts to push back against the Trump Administration’s cuts to gun violence prevention efforts.
Earlier this year, the Trump Administration rescinded over $800 million in grants to local gun violence prevention and crime reduction programs, and upcoming budget decisions could further reduce data-driven, community-centered efforts to prevent gun violence and reduce crime.
Rhode Island has one of the lowest rates of gun ownership in the country, yet still 52 people die annually by guns in Rhode Island, according to Everytown for Gun Safety. The non-profit also estimates that gun violence costs Rhode Island $752.1 million each year.