(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) has introduced the Stop Access to Firearms Evading Revocation (SAFER) Act, which will make it illegal to knowingly transfer or return a firearm to a person whose state license to possess or purchase firearms has been revoked or whose firearms were seized by the state. The legislation already has twelve cosponsors.
“The recent massacre in Nashville demonstrates the urgent need for this legislation, which would make sure that state gun ownership laws are enforced,” Congressman Raskin explained. The alleged Nashville shooter, Travis Reinking, had his Illinois Firearms Ownership Identification (FOID) revoked after multiple run-ins with law enforcement. In the last two years, Travis attempted to access restricted areas of the White House and on another occasion told officers that he was being stalked by Taylor Swift. Travis’s guns were confiscated by the State of Illinois, and he designated that they instead be transferred to his father, Jeffrey Reinking. Mr. Reinking assured police that he would keep the guns secure and away from his son. However, Mr. Reinking apparently returned an AR-15 directly to Travis, who used the weapon to slaughter four people in a Nashville Waffle House earlier this week.
It is uncertain whether Jeffrey Reinking can be charged under federal law for returning the AR-15 to Travis after his license was revoked,” said Congressman Raskin. “The SAFER Act will erase any doubt by making it illegal to transfer or return firearms to an individual when a state revokes the person’s firearms ownership privileges. We should be fortifying state laws aimed at ensuring that dangerous individuals do not have access to deadly weapons.”
Congressman Jamie Raskin represents Maryland’s 8th Congressional District, which includes Montgomery, Frederick, and Carroll counties. He is the Vice Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, a Senior Democratic Whip, and Freshman Representative to the House Democratic Steering & Policy Committee. He also serves on the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee and the Committee on House Administration.