Congresswoman Tlaib Statement on the Safer Communities Gun Legislation

June 24, 2022 

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-13) released the following statement regarding the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act: 

“Gun violence has become as American as apple pie and baseball. Communities across our country have had to deal with the devastating impact of the harm caused by people with guns on our streets. This widespread epidemic calls for a widespread response on all levels of government. The action we took today in the U.S. House of Representatives to decrease gun violence is a long overdue first step and my colleagues must realize that more must be done. 

“I am glad that this Bipartisan Safer Communities Act invests resources into expanding mental health and early intervention program. It is also key that this bill will ensure that there are more provisions that would prevent certain individuals from getting deadly weapons. We must do more, though.

“We must bring legislation up for a vote that will provide more resources to support mental health, require safe storage of firearms, make gun owners report lost or stolen firearms within 48 hours, require background checks for gun shows and online sales, and ban assault rifles like AR-15s. This must go hand in hand with investing resources in communities to decrease poverty, increase access to public education, and increase opportunities for people to thrive. 

“We can and should make gun violence a thing of the past. I urge my colleagues to continue the work to ensure that all communities are safe.”