Moskowitz Introduces Two Pieces of Legislation to Address the Gun Violence Crisis

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Jared Moskowitz (D-Florida) announced he has introduced two pieces of legislation that would address the United States’ gun violence crisis. As vice-chair of the Congressional Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and an alumnus of Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Parkland, Florida, Moskowitz is committed to taking any step possible to protect our children and keep guns out of the hands of those deemed unfit to carry them.

Moskowitz’s legislation to ban online digital files used to create ghost guns has over 20 original cosponsors, including Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Florida) and Congressman Brad Schneider (D-Illinois). Moskowitz’s legislation to study the mental health impacts of active shooter drills has bipartisan support, including Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (D-Colorado), Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (D-Pennsylvania), and Congresswoman Nancy Mace (D-South Carolina).

“From getting ghost guns off our streets, to better understanding the mental health impacts active shooter drills have on our children, I am committed to putting forward a holistic approach to keep our children safe in school,” said Moskowitz. “We are in the midst of a gun violence crisis in this country and must take every stop possible to ensure no other communities experience the tragedy like the one we experienced in Parkland.”

Information on the two pieces of legislation introduced by Moskowitz are found below:

• Prohibit the online distribution of blueprints and instructions that allow for the three dimensional (3D) printing of firearms, also known as ghost guns. Ghost guns attribute for a large portion of firearms recovered at crime scenes. These guns are almost impossible to trace, and with the recent emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), wrongdoers could now use AI to mass produce guns. The concern around ghost guns doesn’t stop there. 3D printers are now able to produce “switches,” a device that can be placed on a handgun and turn it into a mini-machine gun. When this device is used, as many as 30 rounds can be fired in two seconds. A recent federal undercover investigation in North Texas highlighted this issue.

• Study the mental health implications of school lockdown and active shooter safety drills, which are practiced by 95% of schools across the United States. The bipartisan School Safety Drill Research Act would provide K-12 schools with evidence-backed, standardized recommendations for conducting effective drills while protecting the mental well-being of students, parents, teachers, and school personnel.