Collins statement on Gun Violence in Cities Hearing

Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding Thursday’s hearing, “Community Responses to Gun Violence in our Cities.”  Ranking Member Collins said, “Thank you, Madam Chairwoman, for holding today’s hearing on “Community Responses to Gun Violence in our Cities.” Of all the hearings and proposals we’ve heard on firearm violence, this hearing might be the only one that makes any sense. After all, after suicides — which account for 60% of all adult firearm deaths — homicides account for nearly one-third of all firearm deaths. Firearm homicides are a scourge in our urban communities. Half of all firearm homicides took place in just 127 cities, which represented only a quarter of the U.S. population. If we could successfully address urban firearm violence, we could truly make a dent in the firearm death rate in this country.  I want to work with my colleagues to address this important issue. Unfortunately, I fear that many of my friends on the other side will continue to use both suicide and urban homicide as a reason to limit the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens. I am far from convinced that gun control is the answer. In fact, some of the cities suffering from the most heartbreaking firearm violence have some of the most restrictive gun control laws in the nation. We must examine the reasons so many young people in our cities turn to violence, particularly gun violence. Tragically, these Americans are forgotten when it comes to firearm violence. After every mass shooting in this country, our politicians and our media rush to the airwaves and implore us to “do something.” Yet, citizens in our urban communities suffer from firearm violence daily while receiving little to no attention — and certainly less outrage — this should not be a norm for Americans living in cities.  African Americans represent the largest portion of firearm homicide victims. In fact, they are 10 times more likely than white Americans to die by firearm homicide. Additionally, African American males are 15 times more likely than white males to be shot and injured in assaults involving firearms. These communities should not be forgotten or ignored. I look forward to hearing from our witnesses today about ways to address the root causes of violence without infringing upon the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans. This is a vitally important issue we should address on a bipartisan basis. I have introduced legislation to increase funds to assist the Department of Justice in prosecuting those who use firearms while committing violent crimes. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor the MVP Act, which, unlike the bills that have been rammed through the House this year, would actually take concrete steps to reduce urban gun violence.”