15-04-2025
Letter: Spate of gun violence demands leaders' response
Gun violence seems to be prevailing in Reading, our state's fourth-largest city. It's also a problem throughout the counties in to U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan's website, bills in Congress that would help prevent gun violence include the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and Enhanced Background Checks Act. A proposed assault weapons ban would prohibit the manufacturing and sale of guns but would not take them away from people who already own them.
The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is a tangible and lifesaving step forward that will combat the horrific trend of gun violence and better protect schools, children and all Americans. The law clarifies who needs a federal license to buy and sell firearms, imposes an enhanced background check review process, including the review of juvenile mental health records for individuals 16 and older seeking to purchase a firearm, and closes the loophole of prohibiting individuals convicted of domestic violence crimes from purchasing or possessing a firearm for at least five years.
The Berks County district attorney's office, Reading Police Department, Mayor Eddie Morán and Reading City Council all need to put a stop to the gun violence plague throughout the city.
Alim Howell
Upper Darby, Delaware County
