Getting Guns off our Streets and Ending Mass Shootings
No more thoughts and prayers. No more talking points. We need new voices and a new generation in Congress to shape the debate around this issue. As I have done in the Illinois Senate, I would create a people’s legislative council of survivors of gun violence - and families members of those killed by guns - to co-govern with me on legislative and advocacy strategies to move the needle on gun control. We cannot give up the fight. Too many in our communities right here in the 9th District and around the country are living with the collective and personal trauma that comes with rampant gun violence. Shootings in places of worship, schools, and public spaces are out of control.
In the Illinois Senate I’ve been a chief-cosponsor and helped lead passage of key gun legislation that bans ghost guns by requiring that they be serialized. I also pushed back on moderate Democrats and helped get Illinois’ assault weapons ban passed in 2023. This landmark gun safety legislation also places a ban on rapid-fire devices and increases the duration of a Firearm Restraining Order from six months to up to one year. In the Illinois Senate we passed Karina's Bill in early 2025 to protect victims of domestic violence by confiscating firearms from their abusers; I was a proud supporter.
I participated in a White House policy conference in 2023 under President Biden to discuss the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and build strategies to begin implementing the federal legislation at the state and local level. But we can and we must finally take federal action on passing sensible gun laws.
In total I’ve also secured more than $12 million in state appropriations and funding for my Senate District since 2021 for highly effective, data-backed violence prevention programs and interventions that yield safer communities.
I’ve been especially grateful and proud to work in coalition with so many on-point advocacy groups pushing for sensible gun laws. In Congress I would continue to work closely with the grassroots groups working toward strong gun control laws at the federal level. Specifically, in Congress I will passionately support:
- A federal ban on assault weapons and high capacity magazines
- Universal background checks on all firearm sales and transfers
- Regulations to crack down on interstate illegal trafficking of guns and gun parts and those who facilitate the trade that dumps thousands of guns into communities across Illinois each year
- Security grants for places of worship targeted by hate crimes
- A major increase of funds to ensure schools and community centers have trauma-informed counseling and supports available for survivors of gun violence and their families
- Significantly more funds to support social services and housing and wraparound services for survivors of domestic violence
- A significant increase in federal recovery grants to fund proven violence prevention efforts that reduce shootings and homicides like the successful Communities Partnering for Peace model on the north side of Chicago
- Legislation to hold gun manufacturers more accountable and liable for their role in gun-related destruction
This is a very important issue for me. Twice in my life I’ve been personally shaken by gun violence. An adult pulled a gun on me when I was 4 years old as a joke. I’ll never forget the fear I felt as a child. Then in my first year in the Senate my block in Uptown and nearby blocks in each direction were hit by repeated shootings. I was proud to use my role as Senator to push hard for new gun laws in Illinois, and will bring the same energy and work ethic as your Congressperson to getting guns off our streets and out of our communities.
