Video: Rep. Quigley Calls For Federal Response To Chicago Gun Violence

By Samantha Abernethy in News on Jul 9, 2013 10:40PM

U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (D-Chicago) called on the federal government to do more to stem violence in Chicago. "The numbers speak for themselves," said Quigley. "The City of Chicago is facing an epidemic of violence, and the reasons behind it are clear."

Quigley wants federal funding to put more police, passage of the TRACE Act targeting corrupt gun dealers, and an increase in federal prosecutions of gun traffickers. He said:

We need a renewed effort at the federal level to prosecute gun traffickers who put illegal weapons in the hands of gang members. We need give our law enforcement the tools they need to put these guys away. Last year, Chicago ranked last among federal jurisdictions in federal gun prosecutions. This is simply unacceptable. Gun traffickers should know: if you traffic illegal weapons in the City of Chicago, you will be spending a long time in a federal penitentiary. We can no longer let these criminals be charged with mere paperwork violations.

Watch the full speech below.