Horsford Votes for Historic Gun Safety Package That Includes Community Violence Intervention Programs He Authored

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Steven Horsford voted for bipartisan legislation that takes historic steps to combat gun violence and protect Nevada communities.  The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act will help save lives by keeping weapons out of dangerous hands, strengthening mental health services and bolstering school safety.  The first major gun violence prevention legislation passed by Congress in nearly three decades, this bill now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. 

“Today, June 24, 2022, marks 30 years to the day my father was shot and killed by senseless gun violence. This historic legislation that will reduce crime and break the cycle of violence that so many people throughout the country have unfortunately experienced. One of the most important provisions in this legislation is the $250 million for community violence intervention programs from my Break the Cycle of Violence Act legislation,” said Congressman Horsford. “Nevadans are horrified by the epidemic of gun violence that continues to steal away lives, devastate families and shatter communities across the country.  The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act will implement common-sense measures to curb the violence and keep weapons away from those who pose a danger to themselves and others.” 

Gun violence in America is responsible for more than 45,000 deaths per year, including 547 in Nevada alone.  Every day, 30 Americans are murdered with a gun – a number that rises to more than 100 when counting suicides and accidental shootings.  Communities across the nation have been torn apart by nearly 300 mass shootings since 2009 – attacks that have killed more than 1,500 people and wounded 1,000 more.  

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act will implement common-sense, bipartisan measures to protect America’s children, keep our communities safe and curb gun violence across our country, including:

• Anti-Violence Community Initiatives: Providing $250 million in funding for community-based violence prevention initiatives, a 5-fold increase in current investments.
• Support for State Crisis Intervention Orders: Incentivizing states to implement extreme risk protection order laws to keep weapons out of the hands of individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others.
• Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence: Closing the “Boyfriend Loophole” by adding convicted abusers to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
• Cracking Down on Gun Trafficking and Straw Purchases: Preventing dangerous individuals from illegally evading background checks by establishing new federal criminal offenses that cover straw purchasing and trafficking.
• Enhanced Background Checks for Buyers Under 21: Requiring longer, enhanced background checks of up to ten days for gun buyers under 21 years of age.
• Child and Family Mental Health Services: Improving access to mental health services for children, youth and families through Medicaid, CHIP and other programs.
• Investments in School Safety: Expanding mental health and supportive services in schools, including early identification and intervention programs. 

“Today’s vote is a key step forward, but we cannot stop here.  My Democratic colleagues and I remain committed to fighting for additional gun safety legislation and finally putting an end to our nation’s daily drumbeat of gun violence,” said Congressman Horsford. 

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