Chicago City Wire

WASHINGTON, D.C– On April 28, 2023, Congresswoman Robin Kelly, along with fellow members of the Regional Leadership Council (RLC), met with leaders from Everytown for Gun Safety, including Senior Legal Director Rob Wilcox, Director of Implementation Chelsea Parsons, and Federal Counsel Jack Budish, to discuss the implementation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA). Enhancing background checks for buyers under the age of twenty-one, disarming domestic abusers, investing in mental-health services, and empowering law enforcement to keep firearms out of the hands of those who would use them to harm others, the BSCA will touch every community impacted by gun violence. The RLC – along with key partners like Everytown – will continue supporting the effort to identify funds and programs, implement these measures, and inform Americans about how these changes will help address our gun-violence epidemic.

Congreswoman Robin Kelly has been a champion for gun violence prevention efforts since she entered Congress over ten years ago. The Congresswoman has led multiple legislative efforts to strengthen background checks, prevent illegal gun trafficking, modernize licensing, and more. Congresswoman Kelly recently spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives to call for action to reduce gun violence.

Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries created the Regional Leadership Council in January 2023. The council consists of twelve Members who each represent one of the United States' twelve regions. The council is working to ensure that Americans in every corner of the country and in every zip code can access the opportunities created by the historic polices that Democrats secured in the 117th Congress, including the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the Honoring Our PACT Act, and many others.

“I’m proud of everything we were able to accomplish last Congress under Democratic leadership, but there is still so much more to do to make sure that these resources reach our constituents. The Regional Leadership Council has been meeting with administration officials and other key stakeholders to ensure that we distribute these resources equitably,” said Congresswoman Robin Kelly, representative for Region 4 on the RLC. “I’ve been committed to reducing gun violence and keeping our communities safe since my first day in Congress. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act was a necessary first step toward creating safe neighborhoods for all. I’m grateful that resources are becoming available to districts like mine to stop the cycle of violence and give families an opportunity to live happy, healthy lives. ”

"From Uvalde to Newtown, Colorado Springs to Buffalo, El Paso to Las Vegas, communities in every part of America have been forced to contend with the tragedy of gun violence." Chairman Hoyer said after the meeting. "The enactment of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act last summer was a crucial first step in breaking the cycle of inaction perpetuated by Republicans in Congress. Just as Democrats were united in our effort to enact that legislation, our steadfast cooperation continues as we push for its swift implementation. The Regional Leadership Council is playing a leading role in that mission, which is why we were pleased to meet with the leadership team at Everytown for Gun Safety earlier today to discuss how we can maximize the BSCA's positive impact on communities across the country."

"The billions of dollars in funding from last summer’s landmark gun safety law to support state crisis intervention programs like Red Flag laws, community violence prevention programs, and other school safety programs and mental health services, will save lives," said Rob Wilcox, Federal Legal Director at Everytown for Gun Safety. "The Regional Leadership Council plays a key role in continuing to work with the Biden-Harris Administration to ensure that these programs are implemented in the most effective ways possible to end gun violence."

Original source can be found here.