Kelly Introduces Legislation to Save Lives, Protect Communities from Gun Violence
Kelly’s GOSAFE Act would protect communities from gun violence, while safeguarding Americans’ constitutional right to own a firearm
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and his colleagues reintroduced the Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion (GOSAFE) Act, commonsense legislation to protect communities from gun violence while safeguarding Americans’ constitutional right to own a firearm.
The GOSAFE Act seeks to regulate firearms based on their inherently dangerous and unusually lethal mechanisms, as opposed to focusing on cosmetic features that manufacturers can easily modify. The GOSAFE Act is co-led by Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Angus King (I-ME), and Michael Bennet (D-CO).
“As a gun owner and a combat veteran, but also the husband of a gun violence survivor, I know firsthand the damage these weapons can cause when they end up in the wrong hands,” said Kelly. “We can protect the rights of responsible gun owners and take action to keep the most lethal firearms out of the hands of dangerous people. We’ve seen the consequences of inaction, let’s not wait for the next tragedy to do something about it.”
“For too long, Congress has failed to stem the onslaught of mass shootings. Our work in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act was critically important, but more must be done,” said Heinrich. “I’m introducing my GOSAFE and BUMP Acts to deliver on that unfinished work to save lives and make our communities safer. As a sportsman and gun owner, I’m committed to upholding the laws that protect responsible gun ownership, but we must do more to prevent deadly weapons from reaching those who are all too ready to turn them against our communities.”
“We have a solemn obligation to protect our communities, and the Gas-Operated Semiautomatic Firearm Exclusion (GOSAFE) Act can reduce threats without infringing on Second Amendment rights,” said King. “By limiting capacity and requiring fixed magazines, there’s an opportunity for people to escape and room to disarm the shooter — helping to prevent mass tragedies like we suffered in Lewiston in future towns and communities. This is commonsense, responsible legislation that will save lives, and I want to thank my colleagues for all their work to ensure a safer tomorrow for communities across Maine and our country.”
“For more than two decades, Colorado has grieved one incident of senseless gun violence after another,” said Bennet. “This common-sense gun safety bill will keep weapons of war out of the hands of the wrong people while respecting responsible gun owners. With this legislation, we are taking an important step to combat gun violence in our communities and protect children across the country.”
“I came to Congress because of a promise I made to my late son Jordan—that I would take action in honor of victims of gun violence to prevent more families from experiencing the same tragic loss that I have,” said Representative Lucy McBath (D-GA-7). “The GOSAFE Act is an important piece of a comprehensive legislative approach to keep lethal weapons from individuals who should not have them, while still honoring the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens. Americans deserve to live their lives free from the fear of gun violence. I intend to follow through on the promise I made to my son and every victim of America’s gun violence epidemic.”
In addition to Kelly, Heinrich, King, and Bennet, the GOSAFE Act is co-sponsored by Senators Tim Kaine (D-VI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI).
The GOSAFE Act would:
- Regulate the sale, transfer, and manufacture of gas-operated semi-automatic firearms by:
- Establishing a list of prohibited firearms;
- Preventing unlawful modifications of permissible firearms;
- Mandating that future gas-operated designs are approved before manufacture;
- Preventing unlawful firearm self-assembly and manufacturing; and
- Prohibiting machinegun conversion devices.
- Protect Americans’ Second Amendment rights.
- Limit high-capacity ammunition devices.
- Outlaw conversion devices.
For a list of endorsements of the GOSAFE Act and statements of support, click here.
The text of the GOSAFE Act is here.
