Robert Menendez

06/09/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/09/2023 16:28

Menendez, Booker Cosponsor Legislation to Support Victims of Gun Violence

JERSEY CITY, N.J. - U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both-D-N.J.) cosponsored the introduction of Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act. This legislation, led in the Senate by U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and in the House by U.S. Congressman Dwight Evans' (D-Pa.-03), ensures that all survivors of gun violence, including their loved ones, coworkers and classmates, have access to and can identify resources available to them to help meet medical, legal, financial, and other needs. By establishing an interagency Advisory Council, victims will receive support to navigate and use these resources, streamlining what can be a complex process in a nation of gun violence survivors.

"Our country is facing an epidemic of gun violence that affects every neighborhood and community. We have a responsibility to take decisive action so we can honor those who've lost their lives and help prevent future incidents of gun violence," said Sen. Menendez. "The Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act will ensure that we not only show our support to survivors with thoughts and prayers, but with greater access to resources that can help them recover from this horrific trauma."

"Gun violence in the United States is shattering communities across our country," said Sen. Booker. "In addition to passing a long overdue gun reform, we must ensure survivors and loved ones of victims have the resources and support they need to recover from the trauma and pain they face after these tragedies. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bill that will provide crucial relief to those affected by the scourge of gun violence."

Every day, 120 people in the United States are killed with guns, and more than 200 are shot and wounded. Every year, approximately 100,000 Americans survive gun-related injuries. An estimated 10,000,000 individuals in the U.S. have been shot and injured in their lifetimes. According to the New Jersey's Gun Violence Research Center (GVRC), on average there are 475 annual of firearm deaths in New Jersey.

In June, on National Gun Violence Awareness Day, Sen. Menendez and several of his colleagues announced a package of gun violence prevention bills that would significantly decrease the pervasive threat of gun violence across the United States, including the reintroduction of the 3D Printed Gun Safety Act that would eliminate the 3D printing and distribution of ghost guns.

In May, Sens. Menendez and Booker cosponsored the Responsible Firearms Marketing Act, directing the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to study the dangers posed by unfair and deceptive marketing and advertising practices conducted by the gun industry. This year, Sen. Menendez joined several of his colleagues in forming the first Senate Gun Violence Prevention Caucus to coordinate common-sense solutions to battle the epidemic of gun violence in America. Earlier this month, Sen. Menendez joined with Newark officials, community violence intervention leaders and gun safety advocates to call on the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to implement rules to help close the background check loophole.

In February, Sen. Menendez led his colleagues in the reintroduction of the Keep Americans Safe Act, which would ban the importation, sale, manufacturing, transfer, or possession of high-capacity magazines. He also reintroduced the Gun Records Restoration and Preservation Act, which would require the ATF and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to collect, preserve, and disclose gun records and gun tracing data. Sen. Menendez also joined several of his colleagues this year in reintroducing legislation to ban assault weapons, close the Charleston Loophole, and require gun owners secure their firearms in a secure gun storage.

In 2022, Sen. Menendez reintroduced the Federal Firearm Licensing Act that would require individuals to obtain a firearm license from the Department of Justice (DOJ) before purchasing or receiving a firearm. He also urged the Biden Administration to do more to address the ghost gun loophole based on legislation he has authored, which would prohibit the online distribution of blueprints and instructions that allow for the 3D printing of firearms. Also in 2021, Sen. Menendez, alongside 16 Senate Democrats and 99 Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives, urged the U.S. Department of Education in a letter to raise awareness about securely storing guns safely and away from kids following the tragic shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan.

This legislation is cosponsored by Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

The bill has 31 co-sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives, including Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.-12) and Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.-05).

The bill is supported by Everytown for Gun Safety, Brady, Giffords, March for Our Lives, Newtown Action Alliance, Junior Newtown Action Alliance, States United to Prevent Gun Violence, CeaseFirePA, Survivors Empowered, Community Justice Action Fund, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and Squirrel Hill Stands Against Gun Violence.

For the bill text click HERE.