Evans Votes for $6 Billion to Fight Gun Violence, Improve Public Safety

WASHINGTON (Sept. 23, 2022) – Congressman Dwight Evans (D-PA-3rd) voted for three bills this week that would provide at least $6 billion in federal funding to fight gun violence and improve public safety.

"I'm proud to co-lead the VICTIM Act, which would provide $1 billion in federal funding over a period of 10 years to help local and state police raise their clearance rates for both fatal and non-fatal shooting cases, get more shooters off our streets, and provide more help to victims," Evans said.

The VICTIM (Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods) Act funding would also help to provide victims and family members with mental health resources and assistance with shelter, wage, and relocation costs.

Evans also voted for the Break the Cycle of Violence Act, which would provide $5 billion in federal grants to communities for evidence-informed community violence intervention and prevention programs designed to interrupt cycles of violence.

In addition, Evans voted for the Mental Health Justice Act to make it easier for state and local governments to send trained mental health professionals instead of police when 911 is called because someone is experiencing a mental health crisis.

"The VICTIM Act and the Break the Cycle of Violence Act are two key parts of my seven-point plan to fight gun violence. Now that the House has acted, these bills and the Mental Health Justice Act deserve Senate action! We need to use all the tools in the toolbox to fight gun violence and make our streets safer. It will take more federal, state and local government action, as well as more community involvement, to fight gun violence – we need everyone pulling together to stop this epidemic."

Evans' full plan to fight gun violence is available at evans.house.gov.

Evans represents the 3rd Congressional District, which includes Northwest and West Philadelphia and parts of North, South, Southwest and Center City Philadelphia. During Evans' first five years in Congress, his office has helped to return to or save more than $25 million for Philadelphians from federal agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs. His website is evans.house.gov and his social media handle is @RepDwightEvans on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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