WASHINGTON D.C. – Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) today issued this statement about illegal firearms in our cities and Congressional reform efforts:

“Illegal guns and the criminals who wield them are the scourge of our city streets. These firearms are a huge factor in the soaring rate of urban homicides and shootings.

“In Philadelphia I have started an Illegal Guns Tip Line that has already resulted in the arrest of one felon in possession of four illegal firearms. I have also created a successful program, Groceries for Guns, that has removed 1,061 dangerous, unwanted firearms from streets and homes of Philadelphians in exchange for grocery coupons.

“Today I am proud to stand with 10 national police organizations, more than 20 state police organizations, and more than 225 mayors from across America to call for the repeal of a federal rule that impedes efforts to rein in illegal firearms trafficking -- the Tiahrt Amendment restrictions on crime gun trace data.

“As a member of the Congressional Task Force on Illegal Guns, which opposes this unhelpful restriction, I commend Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York and Mayor Thomas Menino of Boston, the co-chairs of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, for their leadership on initiatives to keep guns out of the hands of criminals.”

“The Tiahrt Amendment has been added to recent Congressional appropriations bills to restrict access to crime gun trace data and thereby prevent law enforcement from connecting the dots on illegal gun trafficking. As a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, I strongly support the removal of these harmful restrictions on gun crime trace data.

“I will call upon my fellow Members on the Subcommittee to join me in striking the Tiahrt language and provide law enforcement with another tool to track the criminals and those who supply their deadly wares.”