WASHINGTON – Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) today announced his original cosponsorship of H.R. 1339, Understanding the Mass Violence Prevention Act of 2019. This legislation would directly combat gun-related violence by improving law enforcement coordination and information sharing, cracking down on illegal firearms possession, and strengthening the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) ability to prosecute cases of gun violence.

“As a member of the initial prosecuting team for the Chardon High School shooting in 2012, I have seen first-hand the impact that acts of senseless violence have on our communities,” said Dave. “Congress needs to get serious about finding commonsense ways to reduce gun-violence that address the root causes of these tragedies and directly improve the safety of our communities.”

Specifically, H.R. 1339 would establish a fusion center at the FBI to prevent mass, gun-related violence. The fusion center would address weaknesses in law enforcement coordination that have previously allowed such tragedies to occur by synthesizing and analyzing intelligence from a wide variety of sources so that critical information does not fall through the cracks. The bill would also combat illegal firearm possession by strengthening the penalty for burglary or robbery of a Federal Firearms Licensee (known as an FFL or retail firearm store). Importantly, the legislation would also authorize the DOJ to hire additional Assistant U.S. Attorneys to prosecute gun violence cases.

“Reducing gun violence is not a Republican issue or a Democrat issue and as the only Member of Congress to have prosecuted a school shooter, I remain committed to finding real solutions to these tragedies that will actually garner the support needed to become law so that we can protect our communities,” said Dave.

Dave has consistently supported measures to address the root causes and common threads of senseless acts of gun violence and increase the safety of Ohio communities. In the 114th Congress, Dave cosponsored the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2016 and voted for the 21st Century Cures Act, which reformed outdated mental health programs and advanced early intervention and prevention programs. Last Congress, Dave supported several bills to strengthen school security and increase student safety, such as the STOP School Violence Act of 2018, the Securing Our Schools Act of 2018 and the Safe Schools Improvement Act. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Dave has regularly supported increased funding for programs to reduce violent crime, support youth mentoring initiatives, and enhance police active shooter training, and will continue to ensure Congress is adequately funding these important programs.