About Us   Privacy Policy   Terms & Condition    BLOGS  
Democratic

Robin Kelly

Congresswoman Robin Kelly has dedicated her career to public service as an advocate for Illinois families. Since being elected to serve the 2nd Congressional District in 2013, she has worked to expand economic opportunity, community wellness, and public safety across the state, championing numerous initiatives to generate job growth, reduce health disparities, and end gun violence.

Congresswoman Kelly is Vice Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee (the main policy-writing body of the House) and serves on the Health, Communications and Technology, and Consumer Protection and Commerce subcommittees. Her Energy and Commerce work is focused on expanding access to healthcare, consumer protection for American families and economic development.

 

Gun Violence

Our district is no stranger to the gun violence epidemic. In 2021, 797 lives were claimed by gun violence in Chicago, and 174 in the Second Congressional District. This does not count the many wounded and injured or the communities that are left traumatized. Too many of our families have been affected by senseless gun violence.

This issue permeates every corner of American life and I am committed to finding common-sense solutions that will keep Americans safe. In 2018, I published an update to the Kelly Report on Gun Violence in America, an in-depth Congressional analysis of the gun violence epidemic in America. I will continue supporting common-sense legislation to reduce the threat of gun violence. 

Gun Violence Prevention Progress 

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is a step in the right direction. This is our first significant gun violence prevention progress in the past 30 years. I will continue fighting for further progress. 

I am thrilled that this legislation includes my work to prevent gun trafficking. This law will help keep illegal guns off our streets and make our communities safer by prohibiting interstate gun trafficking and straw purchasing. More than 60 percent of guns used in crimes in Chicago are trafficked from out of state. Additionally, gun violence is a threat to our public health, and communities across America. This bill makes investments of $250 million in community violence intervention programs and expands mental health and supportive services in schools.  

Gun Violence Prevention legislation I’m working on: 

  • Creating Pathways for Youth Employment Act 
    • This bill directs the Department of Labor to award grants, on a competitive basis, to assist states, local governments, and Indian tribes or community-based organizations in providing subsidized summer and year-round employment opportunities to certain at-risk youth who are no younger than 14 or older than 2, and unemployed. 
       
  • Helping to Encourage Real Opportunities (HERO) for youth Act 
    • This bill modifies the work opportunity tax credit to: 
      • Expand the credit for summer youth employees who will be employed 20 hours per week (or less) during any period between September 16th and April 30 in which the youth employee is attending any secondary school. 
      • Increases the amount of the credit for youth employees, and
      • Expands the credit to include disconnected youth. 
         
  • H.R. 6225 The Federal Firearm Licensee Act 
    • This bill would strengthen language and modernize the way gun dealers obtain a federal firearm license. This legislation also requires firearm dealers to report any lost or stolen merchandise and gives the ATF the ability to conduct annual inventory audits. 
       
  • H.R. 882 Keeping Gun from High-Risk Individuals Act 
    • This bill expands the categories of persons who are prohibited from shipping, transporting, receiving, or possessing firearms or ammunition. Specifically, this bill adds the following parameters for prohibited persons
      • Individuals convicted of a crime of violence in the most recent 10-year period 
      • Individuals under age who have been adjudicated as having committed an offense that would have been a crime of violence if committed by an adults 
      • Individuals convicted during a consecutive 3-year period in the most recent 10-year period, of two separate offenses involving drug or alcohol possession or distribution or 
      • Individuals convicted of stalking

  • H.R.881 - To require the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service to submit to Congress an annual report on the effects of gun violence on public health 

    • This bill requires the Surgeon General to report annually to Congress on the public health effects of gun violence and the status of actions taken to address those effects.
       
  • H.R. 880 Firearm Safety Act of 2021 
    • This bill allows the Consumer Product Safety Commission to issue safety standards for firearms and firearm components. 

I cosponsored H.R.6639, the Protect Children Through Safe Gun Ownership Act. This act requires adequate supervision before a juvenile can possess a firearm, to require the safe storage of firearms, and for other purposes.

Requesting Support

I submitted funding requests for important community projects to the House Committee on Appropriations that would invest in gun violence prevention. I have also requested a $750 million investment in community violence intervention funding.