Rep. Kathleen Rice Named A Vice Chair of House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force

Press Release

U.S. Representative Kathleen Rice (NY-4) today was named a Vice Chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. Rice, who formerly served as a federal prosecutor and as District Attorney of Nassau County, NY, was elected to replace retiring Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, one of the task force's original vice chairs.

The House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, chaired by Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5), was formed after the December 14, 2012 mass-shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. In February, 2013, the task force announced a comprehensive set of policy recommendations designed to reduce gun violence while respecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans. Their complete report is available here.

"As a former prosecutor, Kathleen Rice has a unique understanding of the importance of reducing gun violence," said Chairman Thompson. "She knows that we must uphold the rights of law-abiding citizens to own guns while also recognizing the importance of keeping guns out of the hands of criminals and domestic abusers. I look forward to working with Congresswoman Rice, and I am glad to have her law enforcement perspective at our leadership table."

"I'm proud to join this task force," said Rep. Kathleen Rice. "I come to this issue from a law enforcement perspective. I'm not out to restrict any law-abiding citizen's right to own a gun -- I want to keep guns away from people who aren't legally allowed to have them by closing the loopholes that allow violent criminals, domestic abusers and people with dangerous mental illnesses to avoid background checks. I'm eager to work with my fellow task force members to get this done."

The 11 Vice Chairs for the 114th Congress are:

* Rep. Elizabeth Esty (CT-5)

* Rep. Chaka Fattah (PA-2)

* Robin Kelly (IL-2)

* Rep. Grace Napolitano (CA-38)

* Rep. Rick Nolan (MN-8)

* Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-7)

* Rep. David Price (NC-4)

* Rep. Kathleen Rice (NY-4)

* Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-3)

* Rep. Jackie Speier (CA-12)

* Rep. Bennie Thompson (MS-2)

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