Commentary

Center for American Progress Outlines 13 Recommendations to Prevent Gun Violence in America


Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–January 14, 2013. One month after the horrific mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School and days before Vice President Joe Biden is expected to announce his policy recommendations to curb gun violence, the Center for American Progress today outlined 13 common-sense legislative proposals and executive actions to prevent gun violence in our nation.

“The death, injury, and heartache caused by gun violence in our nation is devastating, which is why our country needs to act to address the gaps in our current laws,” said Neera Tanden, President and CEO of the Center for American Progress. “Through better background checks, taking military-grade weapons off the streets and out of criminals’ hands, and improved data, coordination, and enforcement, we can reduce the gun violence that is plaguing our communities and harming our children and families.  As both a mother and concerned citizen, I believe the best way to address the tragedy of Newtown, as well as the senselessness of thirty-three gun deaths a day is to take action on common-sense measures.”

The 13 legislative proposals and executive actions outlined in the brief include:

Better background checks:

  • Perform a background check for every gun sale.
  • Input all necessary records into the FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
  • Prevent convicted stalkers from acquiring guns.
  • Close the “terror gap.” (Current law does not prevent known or suspected terrorists from clearing a background check and purchasing a gun.)
  • Penalize states that fail to provide records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
  • Ensure that federal agencies provide required records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
  • Perform background checks on employees of federally licensed dealers during the course of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives audit inspections.

Taking military-grade weapons off the streets and out of criminals’ hands:

  • Re-regulate assault weapons.
  • Ban high-capacity gun magazines.
  • Require broader reporting of multiple sales of assault rifles.

Better data, better coordination, and better enforcement:

  • Strip riders from the administration’s fiscal year 2014 budget and all future budgets that restrict gun data collection and sharing.
  • Treat gun trafficking as a serious crime.
  • Begin the process of the FBI absorbing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

The recommendations outlined in the brief will be part of the discussion at a  CAP Action event on Monday, January 14, at 9:00 a.m. featuring Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA), and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY). The conversation will be moderated by Neera Tanden.

Read the policy brief: Preventing Gun Violence in Our Nation by Neera Tanden, Winnie Stachelberg, Arkadi Gerney, and Danielle Baussan

Source: americanprogress.org


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