Amo Highlights New Common-Sense Legislation to Combat Gun Violence and Keep Communities Safe

PROVIDENCE, RI – Today, Congressman Gabe Amo (RI-01) announced introduction of his new legislation, the Responsible Retirement of Law Enforcement Firearms Act. This legislation, which is co-led by Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08), would prevent former police service weapons from being sold or transferred to unscrupulous firearms dealers. Since 2006, over 52,000 retired police firearms have been found at crime scenes. While law enforcement agencies sometimes resell retired firearms to their own officers, law enforcement agencies also routinely trade or resell their retired firearms to firearms dealers in exchange for discounts on new equipment. As a result, many retired police firearms end up being used to commit crimes. 

“The Responsible Retirement of Law Enforcement Firearms Act is a common-sense proposal to block the flow of dangerous guns on our streets. I am proud to introduce this legislation alongside Congressman Jamie Raskin to prevent former police weapons from being sold or transferred to unscrupulous firearms dealers,” said Congressman Amo. “These are the kinds of solutions that Rhode Islanders and the American people expect us to do in Congress. I thank all our local officials, law enforcement leaders, and advocates who joined us today in our shared goal to keep communities safe.”

“Our Responsible Retirement of Law Enforcement Firearms Act addresses an urgent but little-known public safety problem: the persistent flow of retired law enforcement firearms into the criminal underground,” said Representative Jamie Raskin. “This legislation keeps guns out of the wrong hands — ensuring firearms once used by law enforcement to protect and serve our communities are not resold and repurposed for violent crime. Our nation’s gun violence epidemic demands commonsense solutions like this one, and I’m grateful to my colleague Congressman Gabe Amo for his leadership on addressing this public safety imperative.”

The Responsible Retirement of Law Enforcement Firearms Act has been endorsed by Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence, Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association, Rhode Island International Brotherhood of Police Officers, Nonviolence Institute, Brady: United Against Gun Violence, Giffords, Everytown for Gun Safety, March for Our Lives, Guns Down America, and Newtown Action Alliance.

"The Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence is proud to stand with Congressman Amo in support of the Responsible Retirement of Law Enforcement Firearms Act,” said Melissa Carden, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence.  “We know there isn't one answer in the effort to end gun violence, but blocking the flow of police guns to crime scenes is one way to keep our neighborhoods safer. We are grateful for Congressman Amo's steadfast commitment to gun safety."

“Law enforcement leaders in Rhode Island are committed to reducing gun violence and the Responsible Retirement of Law Enforcement Firearms Act will help to keep guns out of the wrong hands,” said Sid Wordell, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association. “We commend Congressman Amo for his leadership on this issue and his support for law enforcement. We appreciate this thoughtful and measured approach that will help keep our officers and our communities safe.”

“I am happy to be here today on behalf of my members to voice our support for the Responsible Retirement of Law Enforcement Firearms Act,” said John Rossi, National Service Representative for the International Brotherhood of Police Officers. “This legislation will not only protect members of law enforcement but will also protect our communities by ensuring that retired law enforcement firearms do not end up in the hands of criminals. On behalf of our members, I would like to thank Congressman Amo for drafting and introducing this commonsense piece of legislation.”

"Gun violence is a public health issue in our state and across our country,” said Lisa Pina-Warren, Executive Director of the Nonviolence Institute. “We have to do everything in our power to keep illegal guns off of our streets in order to keep our communities safe. This legislation will assist in doing so."

“While the overwhelming majority of firearms dealers in the United States have few, if any, crime guns traced back to them each year, about 2% of them are the source of a disproportionate number of firearms quickly diverted to criminal activity," said Mark Collins, Federal Policy Director for Brady: United Against Gun Violence. "The Responsible Retirement of Law Enforcement Firearms (RRLEF) Act will ensure that only responsible dealers have the privilege of selling firearms to, and purchasing firearms from, state and local law enforcement agencies that receive federal funds. Brady applauds Congressman Amo for introducing this important bill and for his continued dedication to protecting Americans from gun violence.” 

BACKGROUND
The Responsible Retirement of Law Enforcement Firearms Act would block the flow of retired police firearms to crime scenes by preventing state and local law enforcement from transferring firearms to, and purchasing firearms from, federally licensed firearms dealers (FFLs) with a history of selling guns that disproportionately end up being used to commit crimes. Specifically, the legislation would: 

• Require Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant applicants to certify that they will not transfer or purchase firearms from a covered FFL. Violation of this certification can result in penalties ranging from additional award conditions to award termination. 
• Direct ATF to publicly report a list of covered FFLs each year and remove restrictions on public reporting.
• Add a reporting requirement to firearm traces that directs ATF to notify state and local law enforcement if a firearm traces back to their department.

The legislation has been cosponsored by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Sean Casten (IL-06), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Adam Smith (WA-09), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Nikema Williams (GA-05).

The text of the bill can be found HERE.

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