Gun Safety
Preventing Gun Violence
As a former officer in the U.S. Army, Senator Reed has great respect for firearms and responsible gun ownership.
Reed believes we can, and must, do more to reduce gun-related crimes in America. Senator Reed has authored legislation to prevent potentially dangerous people, such as convicted felons or individuals with a history of severe mental instability, from purchasing firearms.
To address the threat of terrorists buying firearms, he cosponsored the Preserving Records of Terrorist & Criminal Transactions (PROTECT) Act to give the FBI the authority to effectively track gun purchases by terror suspects.
Read More »Key Priorities & Accomplishments
- Reed voted to ban assault weapons and authored an amendment with Senator John McCain of Arizona to close loopholes that allow terrorists and criminals to buy firearms at gun shows without the same type of background checks required when guns are purchased from a licensed dealer.
- Secured $1 million for the Providence Police Department’s Gun Violence and Gang Reduction Initiative to expand intervention efforts that specifically address gun-related violence and gang activity occurring in the city.
- When the Senate considered legislation offering the gun industry immunity from lawsuits, Senator Reed spoke out on behalf of the victims of gun violence. He believes it is wrong for them to be denied their day in court.
- Reed joined Senator Lautenberg in introducing the Gun Show Background Check Act. This legislation, which is strongly support by law enforcement officers, would close the gun show loophole that is responsible for so much needless tragedy by requiring background checks on sales at gun shows.
The Latest
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Providence to Receive $1.35 Million COPS Hiring Grant
PROVIDENCE, RI - U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives David Cicilline and James Langevin today announced the Providence Police Department is receiving $1.35 million to add 5 more police officers to patrols this year. Administered by the U.S....
Posted on 9/28/2011 | -
RI Delegation Announces Over $3.4 Million in Crime Prevention Funding
Rhode Island’s congressional delegation today announced over $3.44 million in federal crime prevention funding for Rhode Island. The federal funding will help cities, towns, state agencies, and community coalitions reduce youth drug abuse and j...
Posted on 9/7/2011 | -
Reed Joins Shooting Victims and Families to Push for Closing Gun Show Loophole
Sens. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), Jack Reed (D-RI) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) today joined Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and victims and family members of the Virginia Tech tragedy, to introduce legislation to close the nation's "gun sho...
Posted on 4/21/2009 | -
Reed, Whitehouse Cosponsor Bill to Prevent Criminals and Terrorists from Purchasing Guns
U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) are teaming up with Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) to close a gap in existing federal law and prevent terrorists and criminals from purchasing guns. The Preserving Records of Terrorist & Criminal Transactions (PR...
Posted on 5/1/2008 | -
Lautenberg, Reed Join Law Enforcement Officials & Va Tech Victims in Call to Close Gun Show Loophole
U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Jack Reed (D-RI) today joined with law enforcement officials, a Virginia Tech shooting victim, families of Virginia Tech victims and Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, to announce the introduction of...
Posted on 1/30/2008 | -
Floor Statement on Reed Amendment to Gun Manufacturer Liability Legislation
MR. REED: Mr. President, I call up amendment numbered 1642. I ask the Presiding Officer to let me know when I have reached 10 minutes. My amendment has an overarching purpose, to preserve the right of an individual to sue for negligence when they have been harmed and when that negligence can be fairly attributed...
Posted on 7/29/2005 | -
Floor Statement on Gun Control Debate
MR. REED: Reclaiming my time, again, I appreciate the Senator's comments with respect to the amendment, but once again I think we provided you the opportunity to look at the amendment. There are several issues here. The first issue is whether you think it would be appropriate to support and vote for it, which pr...
Posted on 7/27/2005 |