Rep. Subramanyam Introduces Gun Violence Prevention Bills to Protect Kids and Our Community

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) has introduced a package of bills to keep children and communities safe from gun violence.

"Gun violence is the leading cause of death in children and adolescents, and every year, 46,000 Americans die from gun violence. Inaction isn't an option. All academic and childcare based campuses, including preschools, should require necessary protections against potential harm. But we also need to make sure that guns don't fall in the wrong hands with unauthorized access. We in Congress need to prioritize research and development of biometric technology that will make our communities safer," said Congressman Subramanyam.

The Protect Every Preschooler Act would prohibit the possession of a firearm on preschool and early childhood education campuses. Current gun safety regulations only cover K-12 campuses. The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Moulton (D-MA), Johnson (D-GA), Hayes (D-CT), Beyer (D-VA), and Frost (D-FL).

"Having witnessed the devastating consequences of gun violence at Sandy Hook Elementary School, we know that every child deserves to learn, play, and grow in a safe environment. The Protect Every Preschooler Act closes a gap in federal law by extending gun-free school zone protections to preschools and early childhood education centers. Our youngest learners deserve the same safeguards as K-12 students, and we applaud Congressman Subramanyam for taking this commonsense step to better protect children," said Po Murray, Chairwoman of Newtown Action Alliance.

Congressman Subramanyam also introduced the Gun Safety Innovation Opportunity Act to establish a grant program to support the research and development of gun safety technology, including technology that uses biometric data, like fingerprints, to prohibit unauthorized users from accessing the firearm. Every year, hundreds of thousands of firearms are stolen, and, according to Giffords, 70-90% of guns used in youth suicides, unintentional shootings among children, and school shootings (with a perpetrator under the age of 18) are acquired from the home or the homes of relatives or friends. Gun safety technology can help prevent this unauthorized access. The bill also requires a report on ways that the technology can be used by law enforcement, and to prevent self harm and suicide attempts. The legislation is co-sponsored by Reps. Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Lynch (D-MA), Lieu (D-CA), and Goldman (D-NY).

"Everyday, unsecured firearms end up in the wrong hands. The Gun Safety Innovation Opportunity Act would direct $10 million annually to both universities and manufacturers to develop and improve secure storage technology. We thank Rep. Subramanyam for introducing a bill that is exactly the kind of targeted federal investment that can drive innovation and save lives," Vanessa Gonzalez, Vice President of Government and Political Affairs, Giffords.

"Secured firearm strategies save lives, and as technological capabilities advance, we must support and incentivize the development of new firearm storage devices and integrated means to prevent unauthorized firearm use, including by children and those in crisis. The Gun Safety Innovation Opportunity Act will do that - encouraging modernized secure storage and saving lives. Brady thanks Representative Subramanyam for introducing this bill that will further American innovation and bring us one step closer to freeing America from gun violence," said Mark Collins, Federal Policy Director, Brady: United Against Gun Violence.

View the Protect Every Preschooler Act here.

View the Gun Safety Innovation Opportunity Act here.