Representatives DeLauro, Lee Call for Vote Addressing Gun Violence

Rules Committee Will Decide Today If Amendment CanCome Before Congress

WASHINGTON, DC—Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) andBarbara Lee (D-CA) today called on the Rules Committee to allow the House ofRepresentatives to vote on their amendment addressing gun violence. Therepresentatives' amendment would end the current de facto ban on research intogun-related injuries and death at Health and Human Services Department (HHS)and the restraints that keep the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms andExplosives (ATF) from disclosing firearm trace data.

"This amendment is a common sense step that can be takenimmediately to address the issue of gun violence in America," said DeLauro,Ranking Member of the subcommittee that funds with the departments of Labor,Health and Human Services and Education. "The overwhelming tragedy inNewtown made clear that Congress needs to take action to prevent future gunviolence. These restrictions have had a chilling effect on our ability to fullyunderstand the causes of gun violence and how best to address it. I hopethe Rules Committee does the right thing and allows the House ofRepresentatives to vote on ending this intimidation through legislation."

"Republicans can no longer put the gun lobby before thewell-being of our communities and our children," said Lee. "Repealing the Tiahrt Amendments along with comprehensive gun control are acritical pieces of the solution to gun violence. By allowing HHS toresearch the effects of gun violence, we will be equipped with the informationwe need to prevent gun violence that plagues our communities and ournation. It will also support law enforcement by giving them the tools tomonitor handgun sales in an effort to ensure guns stay with law abidingcitizens and out of the hands of criminals and perpetuators of violence."

Current law has effectively prevented HHS from conductingresearch or statistical analysis related to gun violence since 1997, hamperingthe federal government's ability to collect data on gun violence to helpprevent related death or injury. Current law also prevents ATF from disclosingfirearm trace data and multiple handgun sales reports for any purpose besidessupporting ATF enforcement of the Gun Control Act or other law enforcementefforts. Simply put, since 1997, the federal government's ability tocollect data on gun violence has been severely hampered.