Local leader introduces legislation to combat gun violence

As Gun Violence Awareness Month came to a close, Congresswoman Madeleine Dean took action by reintroducing a series of gun safety bills aimed at curbing firearm-related violence and strengthening protections for communities across the country. Her proposals target a range of issues, from ghost guns and background check loopholes to proper gun storage and the tracking of firearm-related financial activity.

Among the measures are updates to laws that would keep untraceable firearms—often called ghost guns—off the streets, and new requirements to ensure background checks are thorough and consistent across states. One bill focuses specifically on protecting children by establishing safe gun storage guidelines and educational initiatives for firearm owners. Another seeks to close the so-called “fire sale” loophole, which some gun dealers exploit to bypass background check requirements by going out of business.

Dean also introduced legislation designed to improve the federal tracking of gun sales and ownership, ensuring the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) can maintain accurate records. A final bill in the package takes a creative approach: applying financial crime detection methods to identify and prevent mass shootings and domestic terrorist threats.

In total, six comprehensive packages were reintroduced, which include: 

• The Undetectable Firearms Modernization Act to keep ghost guns out of our communities;
• The Background Check Point of Contact Act to help states ensure their background check processes are effective;
• The Protect Children Through Safe Gun Ownership Act to create requirements and education programs for safe firearm storage;
• The Fire Sale Loophole Closing Act to close a loophole that allows people to avoid background checks;
• The Gun Records Restoration and Prevention Act to ensure the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) maintains proper records and data; and
• The Gun Violence Prevention Through Financial Intelligence Act to utilize financial crime prevention tools to predict and prevent mass shootings and terrorist attacks.
  
  

Speaking about the legislative push, Dean emphasized the urgency of the crisis: gun violence has become the leading cause of death for minors in the U.S., and she believes these reforms are critical steps toward reversing that trend. While most of these bills have been introduced in past sessions, she hopes renewed attention and bipartisan momentum will help move them forward this time.