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Six Months Since Tragedy in Monterey Park, Rep. Chu Joins Sen. Gillibrand to Announce Bicameral Legislative Package to Address Gun Violence and Keep Firearms Out of the Hands of Dangerous Individuals

July 21, 2023


The Language Access to Gun Violence Prevention Strategies Act will require in-language and culturally competent outreach to communities on red flag laws and other gun safety measures

The FLAG Act will deliver resources to red flag petitioners

MONTEREY PARK, CA — Today, six months after the mass shooting in Star Dance Studio, Representative Judy Chu (CA-28) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) are introducing a bicameral legislative package to decrease gun violence in America—comprised of Rep. Chu’s Language Access to Gun Violence Prevention Strategies Act, and Sen. Gillibrand’s Fair Legal Access Grants (FLAG) Act.

Often, the perpetrators of mass shootings and dangerous crimes, including the shooter in Monterey Park, have a known past of threatening or even violent rhetoric or behavior. Individuals in crisis pose a higher risk to themselves and others if they have easy access to firearms. Law enforcement, community members, and health care professionals can file a red flag petition, known as an extreme risk protection order (ERPO), to help get guns out of the hands of troubled or dangerous individuals. Research shows that at least two-thirds of mass shooters exhibit behaviors that elicit concern(link is external) in family members, friends, neighbors, classmates, co-workers, or others.

Red flag laws have deterred at least 58 potential mass shootings(link is external) and other types of gun violence in California alone, and nearly all states have now applied for grant funding provided by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022 to implement red flag laws.

Unfortunately, there are still gaps in ensuring all communities are made aware of how they can exercise gun safety tools available to them, like red flag laws and federal guidance on gun violence prevention. Additionally, the burdensome and lengthy legal process may deter people from seeing their petition through, allowing dangerous or troubled individuals to remain armed. 

The Language Access to Gun Violence Prevention Strategies Act would ensure outreach about red flag laws, gun violence prevention, and gun safety by federal government agencies—including by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)—include robust in-language materials, outreach to Limited English Proficient (LEP) communities, and culturally competent education to community providers and law enforcement.

The FLAG Act would help keep our communities safe by ensuring that any person filing a red flag petition has access to the legal representation, counsel, and resources needed to be heard and successfully file an ERPO.

“To keep guns out of the hands of those who are a clear danger to themselves or others and to protect communities across the country, everyone in America, no matter what language they speak, needs equal access to gun safety and prevention strategies. I am grateful for the opportunity to partner with Sen. Gillibrand to strengthen and expand access to “red flag” laws with proven effectiveness at decreasing gun deaths,” said Rep. Chu. “The Language Access to Gun Violence Prevention Strategies Act and FLAG Act would assist family members and other community members in navigating the complicated legal system when seeking to temporarily disarm someone showing signs of violence. By ensuring more communities have in the tools to prevent gun violence, we will help honor the Americans we’ve lost in cities and towns across the country—including my hometown of Monterey Park.”

“Strengthening red flag laws across the country will help make our communities safer – period. All too often, school administrators, law enforcement officers, and everyday people don’t have the time or support needed to navigate our court system and successfully file a red flag claim when they notice an individual with access to firearms exhibiting troubling or potentially dangerous behavior,” said Sen. Gillibrand. “My FLAG Act and the Language Access to Gun Violence Prevention Strategies Act would provide community members with vital tools and services needed to help remove guns from those looking to cause harm to themselves or others. We must ensure that all communities have equitable access to these important resources. So many of us want to perform our civic duty to help keep our communities safe, and I am proud to work with Rep. Chu to help ensure our voices are heard in the fight to end firearm tragedies.”

Six months ago, the Monterey Park community tragically endured the deadliest mass shooting in Los Angeles County history, when 11 souls lost their lives, and 9 others were injured,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. “I want to thank Congresswoman Chu and Senator Gillibrand for their legislation that will help more residents in Los Angeles County and across the nation access Extreme Risk Protection Orders to reduce gun violence and make our communities safer.”

The Language Access to Gun Violence Prevention Strategies Act would:

  • Provide for a competent, community reviewed, translations of all public facing resources provided by DOJ and HHS related to gun violence prevention strategies;
  • Direct the Attorney General to ensure federal grant applications for funds related to the creation and implementation of extreme risk protection orders and other prevention efforts incorporate meaningful engagement with communities with high numbers of individuals with LEP; and
  • Direct the Attorney General and Secretary of HHS to develop and implement a national public awareness campaign for federally supported gun violence prevention strategies and firearm ownership safety with a focus on outreach and engagement with LEP communities.

The FLAG Act would provide $50 million in annual funding to states and local governments to provide access to legal counsel and other legal services. Eligible recipients include police departments, district attorney offices, community-based legal aid organizations, and more.

Both bills have been endorsed by March for Our Lives, Newtown Action Alliance, and Everytown for Gun Safety.

The Language Access to Gun Violence Prevention Strategies Act has also been endorsed by the Giffords Law Center to Gun Violence and the National Immigration Law Center.

Click here for a fact sheet on the Language Access to Gun Violence Prevention Strategies Act.

Click here for the full bill text for the Language Access to Gun Violence Prevention Strategies Act.

Click here for a fact sheet on the FLAG Act.

Click here for the full bill text for the FLAG Act.

 

蒙特利公園市的悲劇發生六個月後,聯邦眾議員趙美心與聯邦參議員吉利布蘭德一起宣布一項兩院立法方案,以解決槍支暴力問題,並防止槍支落入危險人士手中

《語言便利槍支暴力預防策略法案》將要求以合適的語言,並配合適當的文化背景,向社區宣傳《紅旗法》和其他槍支安全措施

《公平法律便利補助金法案》將為紅旗(危險信號)呈交者提供資源

加州蒙特利公園市——今天,在舞星舞廳發生大規模槍擊事件的六個月後,聯邦眾議員趙美心( Judy Chu ,加州第28選區) 和聯邦參議員吉利布蘭德(Kirsten Gillibrand ,民主黨-紐約州) 正在提出一項兩院制立法方案,以減少美國的槍支暴力,其中包括由《語言便利槍支暴力預防策略法案》(The Language Access to Gun Violence Prevention Strategies Act)《公平法律便利補助金法案》(Fair Legal Access Grants Act,簡稱FLAG Act)

通常,大規模槍擊案和危險犯罪案件的肇事者,包括蒙特利公園的槍手,在過去都曾有過具威脅性甚至暴力的言論或行為。這些處於危機中的人士如果能夠輕易獲得槍支,就會給自己和他人帶來更高的風險。執法部門、社區成員和醫療保健專業人員可以提交紅旗請願書,通稱「極端風險保護令 (Extreme Risk Protection Order,簡稱 ERPO)」,以幫助陷入困境或危險的人士,從他們的手中奪走槍支。有研究顯示,至少三分之二的大規模槍擊案中的兇手,其行為曾引起了家人、朋友、鄰居、同學、同事或其他人的關注(link is external)

單單在加州,《紅旗法》(red flag laws)就阻止了至少 58 起潛在的大規模槍擊事件(link is external)和其他類型的槍支暴力,幾乎所有州份現在都已申請《 2022 年兩黨更安全社區法案》(Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022)所提供的撥款,以實施紅旗法。

不幸的是,在確保所有社區如何掌握可用的槍支安全工具方面,例如:如何使用,《紅旗法》和有關槍支暴力預防的聯邦指南上,社區之間的運用方式仍然存在差距。此外,繁瑣而漫長的法律程序,可能會阻礙人們通過提交請願書,變相讓危險或陷入困境的人士繼續攜帶武器。

《語言便利槍支暴力預防策略法案》將確保聯邦政府機構(包括聯邦疾病控制和預防中心 (CDC)、聯邦司法部 (DOJ) 和聯邦衛生與公眾服務部 (HHS))就《紅旗法》、槍支暴力預防和槍支安全進行宣傳,包括提供可靠的語言材料、向英語水平有限 (Limited English Proficient ,簡稱LEP) 社區進行宣傳,以及向社區服務機構和執法部門提供相關的文化教育。

《公平法律便利補助金法案》將確保任何提交紅旗請願書的人員,他們都能夠接觸到法律代表、律師和相關資源,以聽取他們的請求查詢,並能夠成功提交「極端風險保護令 (ERPO)」,

聯邦眾議員趙美心表示︰「為了防止槍支落入那些對自己或他人構成明顯危險的人手中,並保護全國各地的社區,在美國的每個人,無論他們說什麼語言,都需要平等地獲得槍支安全和預防策略。我很高興有機會與聯邦參議員吉利布蘭德合作,加強和擴大《紅旗法》的適用範圍,這些法律已被證明可以有效減少槍案死亡數字。當試圖暫時地解除有暴力跡象的人的武裝時,《語言便利槍支暴力預防策略法案》和《公平法律便利補助金法案》,將協助家庭成員和其他社區成員,應對複雜的法律體系。在確保更多社區有工具去防止槍支暴力時,我們將更能夠告慰在全國各地城鎮喪失生命的美國人,這也包括來自我家鄉蒙特利公園市的逝者。」

聯邦參議員吉利布蘭德說︰「在全國范圍內加強紅旗法,將有助於使我們的社區更加安全,句號。很多時候,學校管理人員、執法人員和普通民眾當注意到可使用槍支的人士,表現出令人不安或潛在危險行為時,沒有時間或和支援來瀏覽我們的法院系統,並成功提出紅旗申報。我的《公平法律便利補助金法案》和《語言便利槍支暴力預防策略法案》將為社區成員提供所需的重要工具和服務,幫助大眾解除那些想要傷害自己或他人的人,他們所擁有的槍支。我們必須確保所有社區都能公平地獲得這些重要資源。我們很多人都希望履行公民義務,幫助維護社區安全,我很自豪能與聯邦眾議員趙美心合作,確保我們的聲音能在結束槍支悲劇的鬥爭中被聽到。」

《語言便利槍支暴力預防策略法案》將會:

  • 讓聯邦司法部和聯邦衛生與公眾服務部,提供經過社區審查和翻譯的資源,並面向所有公眾
  • 指示聯邦司法部長,來確保在極端風險保護令和其他預防工作的製定和實施上,所運用到的聯邦撥款申請,能夠與更多英語水平有限人數的社區,進行有意義的接觸。
  • 指示聯邦司法部長和聯邦衛生與公眾服務部部長,制定並實施一項全國性公眾意識運動,以促進聯邦支持的槍支暴力預防戰略和槍支擁有安全,重點是針對英語水平有限 (LEP) 社區的外展工作和參與。

《公平法律便利補助金法案》將每年向各州和地方政府提供 5000 萬美元的資金,以提供法律諮詢和其他法律服務。符合條件的受益人包括警察部門、地區檢察官辦公室、社區法律援助組織等。

這兩項法案都得到了「為我們的生命遊行(March For Our Lives)」、「每個城鎮為槍支安全(Everytown for Gun Safety)」和「新鎮行動聯盟(Newtown Action Alliance)」組織的認可。

《語言便利槍支暴力預防策略法案》也得到了國家移民法律中心(National Immigration Law Center)的認可。

點擊此處獲取有關《語言便利槍支暴力預防策略法案》的情況說明書。

點擊此處查看《語言便利槍支暴力預防策略法案》的完整法案文本。

點擊此處獲取有關《公平法律便利補助金法案(FLAG Act)》的情況說明書。

點擊此處查看《公平法律便利補助金法案(FLAG Act)》的完整法案文本。