Rep. Veasey Votes for Life-Saving Gun Violence Prevention Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, Rep. Veasey voted to protect Texas communities and save lives with strong pieces of legislation to help reduce gun violence across the nation. On Wednesday, Veasey voted for the Protecting Our Kids Act which includes common-sense gun safety measures that will crack down on illegal gun trafficking, prevent teenagers from obtaining firearms, restrict access to untraceable "ghost guns", and more. On Thursday, Veasey voted for the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act which establishes extreme risk protection orders, empowering courts to keep firearms out of the hands of individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others.

"It is outrageous and unacceptable that gun violence is the leading killer of children in our nation," said Rep. Veasey. "From Uvalde in my home state of Texas to Buffalo to Tulsa, it is clear our country is witnessing a regular drumbeat of horrific mass shootings and communities across the country are forever scarred by the daily gun violence that rarely makes the headlines. That is exactly why I took action to advance life-saving gun violence prevention legislation that will keep weapons out of the hands of dangerous criminals and save lives in communities in every corner of our country. As the House continues to consider additional gun safety legislation in the coming weeks, I remain committed to ending America's gun violence epidemic and building a safer future for American families."

Gun violence in America is responsible for more than 45,000 deaths per year, including over 4,000 in Texas alone. Every day, 30 Americans are murdered with a gun – a number that rises to more than 100 when counting suicides and accidental shootings. In addition to this daily loss of life, gun violence continues to inflict a heavy financial burden on taxpayers – imposing $2.8 billion in emergency room and inpatient costs on Americans each year.

The gun violence epidemic has continued to tear through communities in Texas and across the country. Last month, Americans were horrified by mass shootings at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas and a supermarket in Buffalo, New York. Just this past weekend, at least thirteen mass shootings terrorized more communities across the country.

This week's gun violence prevention legislation pieces builds on the House's twice-passed legislation advancing universal background checks for all gun purchases, action that is supported by nearly nine in ten Americans.