Bill Would Establish Advisory Council to Help Gun Violence Survivors and Their Families, Classmates, Coworkers
Washington, D.C. – To commemorate the second National Gun Violence Survivors Week, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and his Senate colleagues renewed their push to help create a support network for victims of gun violence, including survivors and their families, friends, classmates and coworkers, through federal legislation. While existing programs and benefits at the federal, state and local levels may help victims address medical, legal, financial and other needs, these opportunities can be difficult to find and navigate. The Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act seeks to address these challenges by establishing an interagency Advisory Council to gather and disseminate resources and information for victims of gun violence.
“Victims of gun violence and their loved ones should not be left to cope with their trauma alone,” said Senator Casey. “In addition to pushing for common-sense gun safety laws, we must provide support and resources to survivors and their families, friends and caregivers. With about 100 individuals being killed by guns daily in the United States, we must do more to alleviate some of the burden that millions of affected Americans carry each day by offering life-long support in their recovery. I am thankful to my colleagues for joining with me in this critically important effort.”
More on The Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act:
- The interagency Advisory Council would be composed of federal representatives from the Department of Health & Human Services, the Department of Justice, the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration and other agencies, as well as victims of gun violence and victim assistance professionals like social workers and medical professionals.
- The Advisory Council would be required to assess the needs of victims of gun violence, including survivors and their friends, families and coworkers, and help them learn about and access resources, programs and benefits (including, legal, financial, educational, housing, transportation and accessibility needs).
- In addition to disseminating information to the public, the Advisory Council would be required to submit a report to Congress on these resources and identify any gaps in policy that the government could address.
The Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act is co-sponsored by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Edward Markey (D-MA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).
Read more about The Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act here.
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