Congressman Dan Goldman Calls for Creation of Federal Agency to Address Gun Violence

Urges Creation of Office of Gun Violence Prevention to Coordinate Federal Response

Over 11,500 People Killed in 2023 So Far, 40,000 Americans Killed by Gun Violence Every Year

Washington D.C. - Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) yesterday joined Representative Maxwell Frost (FL-10) to call for the creation of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The Office of Gun Violence Prevention would permanently make ending the epidemic of gun violence a national priority by creating a federal Office of Gun Violence Prevention within the Department of Justice to coordinate federal efforts to protect Americans from the public health crisis of gun violence.

“Comprehensively addressing the public health crisis of gun violence that is now the leading cause of death forchildren in America must be a national priority,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “Every day, more than 100 people are shot and killed in this country. A coordinated federal effort will help us save countless lives and I implore every elected official of good conscience to come together and get this done for our kids and our country.”

Since 2020, gun violence has been the leading cause of death for children in the United States, accounting fornearly 19 percent of childhood deaths. In 2020, nearly 3,600 children died in gun-related incidents. Yearly, 40,000 Americans are killed by gun violence with only 11,500 deaths in 2023 so far.

The Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act would create anOffice of Gun Violence Prevention in the Department of Justice to advance federal gun violence prevention initiatives across the country. The Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act would bring together those most impacted by gun violence and leaders from agencies across the federal government to advance policy recommendations, accurate data and research, State and local outreach and education, cross-sector coordination, and maximize and coordinate programs and services related to preventing gun violence.

The Office of Gun Violence Prevention would be directed to identify gaps in data needed for gun violence prevention research, convene an advisory council composed of gun violence survivors, make policy recommendations, and maximize the Administration of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. The Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act serves as the first step to a coordinated, effective response to the gun violence epidemic in the United States.

Combating gun violence and holding gun manufacturers accountable are top priorities for Congressman Goldman. In February, the Congressman cosponsored a package of gun violence prevention legislation including an assault weapons ban, a bipartisan bill to require background checks for all firearm sales, and Ethan’s Law to require safe firearm storage to protect children and others from unsecured firearms.

Last month, Congressman Goldman called for an end to the bump stock loophole, making it illegal to manufacture, sell, or possess the firearm modification that enables shooters to fire semiautomatic rifles continuously with one pull of the trigger, similar to a fully automatic weapon.

Congressman Goldman is a Vice Chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.

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