Amo Introduces Bicameral Bill to Curb Gun Violence

WASHINGTON, DC - LAST WEEK, Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI) reintroduced the bicameralResponsible Retirement of Law Enforcement Firearms Act, with House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) .

This legislation would prevent former police service weapons from being sold or transferred to unscrupulous firearms dealers. Law enforcement agencies routinely trade or resell their retired firearms to firearms dealers in exchange for discounts on new equipment. As a result, over 52,000 retired police firearmshave been found at crime scenes since 2006.

"I'm proud to reintroduce the Responsible Retirement of Law Enforcement Firearms Actto stop the flow of former law enforcement weapons to crime scenes," said Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI). "Our nation's growing gun violence epidemic requires urgent, common-sense action. This legislation will help protect our communities by keeping guns out of the wrong hands."

"Law enforcement firearms should never end up in the hands of criminals," said Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). "Our bill would help ensure that firearms no longer being used by our law enforcement agencies aren't sold to irresponsible dealers and ultimately used against our communities. This is a no-brainer measure to help save lives and keep our streets safe."

"The Responsible Retirement of Law Enforcement Firearms Actcloses a dangerous loophole that has been used to funnel tens of thousands of retired firearms into the criminal underworld," said Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-MD). "This reform will keep guns out of the wrong hands-ensuring that weapons once used by law enforcement to protect and serve our communities are not resold and used to commit crimes. At a time of rampant gun violence, Congress has a duty to bring down the dangerous flow of guns fueling our nation's epidemic of gun violence."

The Responsible Retirement of Law Enforcement Firearms Act has been endorsed by Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence; Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association; International Brotherhood of Police Officers, Rhode Island Office; Nonviolence Institute; Major Cities Chiefs Association; Brady: United Against Gun Violence; Giffords; Everytown for Gun Safety; Guns Down America; and Newtown Action Alliance.

"It's illogical that retired law enforcement firearms would be sold to gun dealers who engage in reckless and irresponsible business practices that fuel gun violence in America," said Mark Collins, Director of Federal Policy, Brady. "If we want to end the gun violence epidemic, we must ensure the safe, responsible exchange of all firearms, including retired police weapons. The Responsible Retirement of Law Enforcement Firearms (RRLEF) Actwill make sure that only responsible dealers have the privilege of selling firearms to, and purchasing firearms from, state and local law enforcement agencies that receive federal funds. Brady thanks Congressman Amo and Senator Duckworth for introducing the RRLEF Act to help ensure that retired police firearms do not contribute to violent crime."

"Requiring police departments to ensure the gun dealers buying retired service weapons aren't known suppliers of crime guns is the very definition of common sense,"said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. "We're grateful for Congressman Amo's leadership, and urge every member of Congress to prevent former police weapons from falling into the hands of criminals."

"This is the kind of common-sense legislation our communities need. When retired police weapons end up in the hands of criminals, lives are at risk," said GIFFORDS Executive Director Emma Brown. "This bill responsibly closes a dangerous loophole by preventing the sale or transfer of firearms from former law enforcement personnel to dishonest gun dealers. We stand with local leaders, victims, and advocates in calling for action - because public safety cannot wait."

"Rhode Island's law enforcement leaders remain committed to reducing gun violence and the Responsible Retirement of Law Enforcement Firearms Actwill help achieve that goal by keeping guns out of the wrong hands," said Sid Wordell, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association. "We want to thank Congressman Amo for supporting our efforts and leading on this issue."

"The Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence stands with Congressman Amo in support of the Responsible Retirement of Law Enforcement Firearms Act," said Melissa Carden, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence. "Blocking the flow of police guns to crime scenes is one common sense way to keep our neighborhoods safer. We are grateful for Congressman Amo's steadfast commitment to gun safety."

The bill can be found here.

Background

The Responsible Retirement of Law Enforcement Firearms Actwould block the flow of retired police firearms to crime scenes by preventing state and local law enforcement from transferring firearms to, and purchasing firearms from, federally licensed firearms dealers (FFLs) with a history of selling guns that disproportionately end up being used to commit crimes. Specifically, the legislation would:

• Require Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant applicants to certify that they will not transfer or purchase firearms from a covered FFL. Violation of this certification can result in penalties ranging from additional award conditions to award termination.
• Direct ATF to publicly report a list of covered FFLs each year and remove restrictions on public reporting.
• Add a reporting requirement to firearm traces that directs ATF to notify state and local law enforcement if a firearm traces back to their department.

This legislation has been cosponsored by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Sean Casten (D-IL), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Daniel Goldman (D-NY), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Adam Smith (D-WA), and Eric Swalwell (D-CA).

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