Durbin Introduces Legislation to Combat Gun Violence, Funds Multi-Jurisdictional Task Forces

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced the Officer Ella Grace French Task Force Support Act of 2022, a legislation aimed at combating gun violence and firearm trafficking. Durbin shared the story of fallen Chicago Police Department Officer Ella French, who was shot during a traffic stop, highlighting the need for action to protect law enforcement officers and communities from gun violence.

Key Takeaways:

• The Officer Ella Grace French Task Force Support Act of 2022 aims to fund multi-jurisdictional task forces to combat straw purchasing and firearms trafficking across state and jurisdictional boundaries.
• Durbin cited the case of Officer French, who was shot during a traffic stop and whose gun was straw purchased in Indiana.
• The legislation will provide funding to task forces that coordinate efforts between Federal, State, Tribal, territorial, and local agencies to investigate and disrupt firearms trafficking.
• The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act included a provision that cracks down on straw purchases, but more work needs to be done to stem the tide of gun violence.
• Durbin emphasized the importance of supporting law enforcement and taking action to reduce gun violence, which is a leading cause of death for officers in the line of duty.

Statistics:

• The United States has 350 million people and 400 million firearms.
• Guns are the number one cause of death for America's children.
• The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act included a provision that cracks down on straw purchases.
• The legislation aims to fund multi-jurisdictional task forces to combat firearms trafficking.

Sources:

• Senate Judiciary Committee press release (July 27, 2022)
• Durbin's floor speech (July 27, 2022)