U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand unveiled her report analyzing initial successes arising from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA)’s anti-gun trafficking section and mental health funding distribution on Tuesday, Dec. 5. Gillibrand’s first-of-its-kind report found that more than 1,300 illegal guns have been seized and more than 200 defendants have been charged under BSCA’s new gun trafficking statute.

 

“After more than a decade of sustained advocacy, the centerpiece of my anti-gun trafficking bill was included in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, and this original report shows that the law is already taking guns off the streets and putting criminals behind bars,” said Gillibrand.

 

She continued, “After less than a year and half with the new anti-gun trafficking statute, more than 1,300 illegal guns have been seized and more than 200 defendants have been charged. Additionally, more than $750 million has been distributed to support mental health services, which will also support the hiring of over 14,000 new mental health professionals in schools. Making gun trafficking a federal crimes was long overdue— BSCA is proof that Democrats are working hard to keep our communities safe, and that when Congress works together, we can make a difference on gun violence.”

 

The senator said the analysis shows that at least 190 of the seized guns were AR-15s or AR-style weapons and authorities also seized at least 151 ghost guns. The data also revealed that over $750 million has been distributed to finance mental and behavioral health services nationwide, which will also support the hiring of over 14,000 new mental health professionals in schools.

 

Gillibrand’s Hadiya Pendleton and Nyasia Pryear-Yard Gun Trafficking and Crime Prevention Act formed the centerpiece of BSCA’s anti-gun trafficking provision. Gillibrand first introduced the bill in 2009 after meeting with the family of Nyasia Pryear-Yard, who tragically lost her life at 17 when she was shot by a perpetrator using an illegally trafficked gun.

 

As previously reported, on July 20, Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15) commemorated National Gun Violence Awareness Month by joining the family of the late Angellyh Yambo, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, and students from University Prep Charter High School to announce new federal legislation named in Angellyh’s memory, banning ghost guns, and expanding the perimeter of gun-free school zones.

 

To read some of our previous coverage on the topic of gun trafficking and illegal possession, and related efforts at gun legislation, click here, here, here  here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here here, and here.