House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chair Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) this week joined Santa Rosa, California, officials in advocating gun violence prevention efforts while also highlighting ghost gun impacts.
Thompson and Santa Rosa Police Chief John Cregan, Santa Rosa Councilmember Natalie Rogers, and members of the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) Special Enforcement Team hosted a press briefing to address the topics.
“Gun violence is an epidemic in the United States that impacts millions across our country,” Thompson said on Sept. 7. “The heroic work done by our local law enforcement helps to keep our communities safe from this violence, and I am grateful for their efforts. The proliferation of ghost guns poses a significant threat to our communities and the work that is done by the SRPD Special Enforcement Team is vital to our safety and security.”
Thompson said he led the effort in Congress to push the Biden Administration to finalize the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which is designed to protect America’s children, keep schools safe and reduce the threat of violence nationwide. President Joe Biden signed the legislation into law on June 25.
“We are committed to removing unlawful guns from our community and will hold violent offenders accountable,” Cregan said. “It’s going to take meaningful partnerships with community stakeholders and local law enforcement leaders, and proactive and intelligence-led policing strategies, to keep Santa Rosa a safe place for everyone.”