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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Reed Says President and Vice President Have a Common Sense Plan to Prevent Gun Violence
Today, after President Obama unveiled a comprehensive package of executive actions and legislative proposals to help prevent gun violence, including a call to reinstate the assault weapons ban, impose limits on high-capacity ammunition clips, expand background checks for gun purchas...
Posted on 1/16/2013 | -
RI Federal Delegation Calls for Action to Prevent Gun Violence
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Posted on 1/13/2013 | -
RI Federal Delegation Calls for Action to Prevent Gun Violence
PROVIDENCE, RI - U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Jim Langevin and David Cicilline today held a press conference calling for action to help reduce gun violence and prevent massacres like the mass-shootings at Aurora, Newtown, Oak Creek, Virginia Tech, and Tucso...
Posted on 1/11/2013 | -
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 |