WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) released the following statement after voting to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to reduce the threat of gun violence across our country and keep our communities safe. The bill will improve background checks, help states implement red flag laws, strengthen protections for victims of domestic violence, and make significant investments in community-based mental health services:
“For the first time in nearly 30 years, Congress is taking significant action to enact gun safety reforms and increase investments in mental health. Communities across America have been devastated by gun violence for too long, and I’m proud to support these commonsense measures that will save lives.
“But the work is far from over. This bill will make our communities safer, but it does not include other lifesaving measures that we need to end the scourge of gun violence across the country. I will keep fighting to ensure that children feel safe at school and people don’t live in fear of being shot in a grocery store, movie theater, house of worship, or anywhere in their community.”
In wake of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, Padilla joined gun violence survivors and hundreds of gun safety supporters and advocates for multiple rallies to demand action on gun safety. Last week, during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Padilla urged Congress to act on gun violence legislation and made the case for ensuring law enforcement officials and mental health professionals have the tools to protect children and communities.
Full text of the bill is available here.
