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Hudson: Pelosi's Bill Does Nothing to End Gun Violence

January 8, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8, 2019
Hudson: Pelosi’s Bill Does Nothing to End Gun Violence
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) released the following statement responding to Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) announcement of H.R. 8, a bill to drastically expand background checks:
“While I share the desire to end tragic gun violence, I find it hypocritical and counterproductive to advance gun control measures that would have done nothing to prevent the horrific attack on Rep. Giffords and only serve to punish law-abiding citizens,” said Rep. Hudson. “Currently, the law requires a background check on every commercial gun purchase in America. Current law also prohibits ‘straw purchases.’ This legislation does nothing to prevent gun violence, yet threatens the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens.”
Rep. Hudson is nationally recognized as a defender of our Second Amendment rights and the champion of concealed carry reciprocity, a bill he reintroduced last week.
In addition, he continues to work to tackle the root causes of violence. Last year, Congress passed and President Donald Trump signed the Student, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Act of 2018 as part of the omnibus bill. This law will make our schools safer by providing resources to train students, teachers, and local law enforcement so they can help stop school violence before it happens. It also encourages state and local officials to share best practices for preventing school violence with federal law enforcement and their counterparts in other states. In addition, it provides funding for technology and equipment to improve school security and stop attacks. This funding may be used for metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other technologies to keep schools safe. Included in the omnibus was also policy to improve compliance with the federal background check system.
This action builds off of House Republicans’ ongoing efforts to address violence and improve mental health – particularly in our schools. In the 21st Century Cures Act which was signed into law in December 2016, Congress permanently authorized the VALOR initiative at the Department of Justice, which trains law enforcement on appropriate actions to take in an active shooter scenario.
The law also improved the National Violent Death Reporting System at the CDC to help track violent deaths and illuminate ways they can be prevented. Other aspects were aimed at preventing an individual from reaching a point of crisis including:
  • Allowing more compassionate communication under HIPAA so family members can help individuals going through severe mental illness and facilitate treatment;
  • Providing increased grant funding for training so teachers, EMS and other professionals can appropriately intervene before someone with mental illness experiences a crisis; and
  • Reauthorizing programs that focus on helping treat children early on with severe emotional disturbances.
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