Quigley: Chicago’s Gun Violence Demands Federal Response

Congressman calls for increased federal prosecutions of gun traffickers, federal funding to put more police on the streets and passage of the TRACE Act.

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) called on the federal government to take action against the growing epidemic of gun violence in Chicago, where more than 70 people were shot and 11 people were murdered over the past holiday weekend.

"We need a renewed effort at the federal level to prosecute gun traffickers who put illegal weapons in the hands of gang members. Gun traffickers should know: if you traffic illegal weapons in the City of Chicago, you will be spending a long time in a federal penitentiary," said Rep. Quigley from the floor of the House of Representatives. "While we continue to spend billions in federal dollars on nuclear weapons, tanks and wars overseas, we're ignoring the gang war that is happening here at home. It's time for the federal government to step up to the challenge by stopping gun violence where it starts."

For video and full transcription of Rep. Quigley's speech please click here.

Rep. Quigley cited the need for tougher federal prosecution of gun traffickers with stiffer penalties for violations of the law, as well as increased funding for Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants. He also urged his colleagues in Congress to pass his Trafficking Reduction and Criminal Enforcement (TRACE) Act, which cracks down on the illegal gun market and corrupt gun dealers by improving gun tracking data.

Rep. Quigley has called on Congress to stand up to the gun lobby in America and supports President Obama's proposals to reduce and prevent gun violence. In addition to the TRACE Act, Rep. Quigley is an original sponsor of the Buyback our Safety Act to bolster gun buyback initiatives. He also spearheaded the effort to file a "friend of the court" amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to allow Chicago's handgun ban to stand.

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