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U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) has introduced a package of legislation aimed at strengthening gun safety measures and reducing gun violence, particularly among children and young people.
“Gun violence is the leading cause of death in children and adolescents, and every year, 46,000 Americans die from gun violence. Inaction isn’t an option. All academic and childcare based campuses, including preschools, should require necessary protections against potential harm. But we also need to make sure that guns don’t fall in the wrong hands with unauthorized access. We in Congress need to prioritize research and development of biometric technology that will make our communities safer,” Congressman Subramanyam said in a statement.
One measure, the Protect Every Preschooler Act, according to the statement, would prohibit the possession of firearms on preschool and early childhood education campuses. Existing federal gun safety regulations apply to K-12 schools but do not currently extend to preschool and early education facilities.
The legislation is co-sponsored by Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Don Beyer (D-VA), and Maxwell Frost (D-FL).
“Having witnessed the devastating consequences of gun violence at Sandy Hook Elementary School, we know that every child deserves to learn, play, and grow in a safe environment. The Protect Every Preschooler Act closes a gap in federal law by extending gun-free school zone protections to preschools and early childhood education centers. Our youngest learners deserve the same safeguards as K-12 students, and we applaud Congressman Subramanyam for taking this commonsense step to better protect children,” said Po Murray, Chairwoman of Newtown Action Alliance.
Subramanyam has also introduced the Gun Safety Innovation Opportunity Act, which would establish a grant program to support the research and development of gun safety technologies. The proposal includes support for technologies that use biometric identifiers, such as fingerprints, to prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing firearms.
According to a statement from the Congressman’s office, hundreds of thousands of firearms are stolen annually. The statement cited data from Giffords indicating that between 70% and 90% of firearms used in youth suicides, unintentional shootings involving children, and school shootings committed by individuals under 18 are obtained from homes, including those of relatives or friends.
Supporters of the legislation argue that advances in gun safety technology could help reduce unauthorized access to firearms and prevent accidental shootings, self-harm, and suicide attempts. The bill would also require a report examining how such technologies could be utilized by law enforcement agencies and in suicide prevention efforts.
The Gun Safety Innovation Opportunity Act is co-sponsored by Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), and Dan Goldman (D-NY).
“Everyday, unsecured firearms end up in the wrong hands. The Gun Safety Innovation Opportunity Act would direct $10 million annually to both universities and manufacturers to develop and improve secure storage technology. We thank Rep. Subramanyam for introducing a bill that is exactly the kind of targeted federal investment that can drive innovation and save lives,” said Vanessa Gonzalez, Vice President of Government and Political Affairs at Giffords.
“Secured firearm strategies save lives, and as technological capabilities advance, we must support and incentivize the development of new firearm storage devices and integrated means to prevent unauthorized firearm use, including by children and those in crisis. The Gun Safety Innovation Opportunity Act will do that – encouraging modernized secure storage and saving lives. Brady thanks Representative Subramanyam for introducing this bill that will further American innovation and bring us one step closer to freeing America from gun violence,” said Mark Collins, Federal Policy Director at Brady: United Against Gun Violence.
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