Scott Commends President’s Executive Actions on Gun Violence Prevention

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03), a vice chair of the House Democratic Gun Violence Prevention Taskforce, released the following statement on President Obama's executive actions on gun violence prevention. Congressman Scott and other members of the task force met with the President yesterday afternoon to discuss these proposals and attended the announcement at the White House today.

"I commend the President for taking action to help reduce and prevent gun violence in light of the current congressional leadership's refusal to responsibly address this epidemic. These executive actions will ensure stronger enforcement of current laws, will reduce the number of lives lost to gun violence and will make our communities safer.

"The President's executive actions will narrow the gun show loophole by strengthening enforcement of licensing requirements for gun dealers and overhauling the background check system to make it more effective and efficient. Dealers will also be required to notify law enforcement if their guns are lost or stolen in transit. These actions will also leverage the buying power of the federal government to encourage research and investments in gun safety technology. The President's plan will also help increase access to mental health treatment to ensure that people who need help do not fall through the cracks of the mental health system.

"While modest and within the President's executive authority, these executive actions will go a long way in keeping guns out of the hands of people who never should have been able to purchase one in the first place. I am also pleased that these actions encompass some of the recommendations of the House Democratic Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. However, as he stated today, the President is limited by his executive authority on what he alone can do to address this epidemic. Long-term reform can only be achieved through congressional action and I hope that the leadership in Congress will follow the President's lead and act to address this critical issue."

More information about the President's executive actions can be found here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/01/04/fact-sheet-new-executive-actions-reduce-gun-violence-and-make-our.

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