Anne Arundel Today

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement on June 25, 2023 marking one year after the signing of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act:

“One year ago today, President Biden signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA). As Majority Leader, I was proud to bring this long overdue legislation to the House Floor and work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass the most significant measure to address gun violence in decades.

“The BSCA includes critical measures to help keep American families safe including community violence prevention programs, enhanced background checks for buyers under the age of twenty-one, disarming domestic abusers, and programs to empower law enforcement to keep firearms out of the hands of those who would use them to harm others. As Chair of the Regional Leadership Council (RLC), I am working alongside my colleagues to implement the Investing in America agenda, including the BSCA, which makes critical investments in keeping our communities safe from gun violence. Thus far, the Regional Leadership Council has met with HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, leadership at Everytown for Gun Safety, and others for critical discussions about identifying opportunities, implementing programs, and informing the American people about the resources made available by the BSCA. 

“This legislation represents vital progress in the fight against gun violence, but it is just the beginning. In 2023 alone, the U.S. has seen more than 325 mass shootings. As we continue to implement the BSCA, our work continues to advance additional gun violence prevention legislation and finally end this uniquely American epidemic. As an original cosponsor of the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban, for nearly three decades, I have been calling on my Republican colleagues to put People Over Politics and get these weapons of war off our streets. House Republicans’ resistance to passing common-sense gun legislation continues to put Americans in danger—in the grocery store, at school, attending church, at shopping centers. Today, as we mark the progress of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, let us recommit to taking additional, necessary action to end gun violence once and for all.” 

Original source can be found here.