Debbie Halvorson Answers Critics as Gun Debate Rages

January 30, 2013

Former Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson, frontrunner in the upcoming special election to fill Jesse Jackson Jr.’s seat in Chicago’s 2nd Congressional District addressed her critics today in a letter to voters. Halverson had come under fire for her positions with the NRA in the Congressional district she previously held. The 2nd Congressional District has changed significantly as a result of redistricting.

Debbie Halvorson’s letter to voters:

The issue of gun control and gun safety is a national debate taking place now in Congress. One of my dear friends, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is testifying today on the issue. My stance has been clear since announcing my candidacy on November 29^th, 2012. I have long advocated for all parties to be at the table in reaching a resolution on the matter. This includes the Gun Control Advocates, the NRA and Congress. I feel that I’m the best candidate in this race to assist in brokering a deal that is fair for all sides.

I have been steadfast in my stance as it relates to an assault weapons ban. In Cook County, we have had an assault weapons ban in place for 20 years. However, Chicago still holds the negative distinction of having the highest number of murders in the United States, while not addressing the real concerns of mental health, background checks and straw purchases. To that end, I want to be clear on my positions concerning this topic which include:

Stiff penalties for Straw Buyers

Universal Background Checks and registration of all firearms

Making sure that background checks work so people do not fall through the cracks in the National Data Base.

Ending the Gun Show loophole.

Additionally, I have not lobbied the NRA for an endorsement. I support President Obama and Vice President Biden’s efforts in getting all sides to the table. President Obama has expressed doubt in getting an assault weapons ban passed through Congress. Yet I am more than capable of working with all sides to get a comprehensive deal done as it relates to this issue. I am open to any plan that will work. Moreover, I do not want to force another law or ban until we aggressively enforce the current laws.

My overall objective is to have an honest conversation not just about guns but also about mental health and economically distressed neighborhoods that often have higher rates of violent crime. The state of Illinois cut mental health services by $187 million and the City of Chicago closed half of its mental health facilities. Where is a family to turn if they need help?

We need to revitalize neighborhoods by creating good paying jobs and urging kids to stay in school to reduce violent crime, including crime committed with guns. We need to ensure that law enforcement officials have the resources they need to enforce the laws already on the books.

However if we continue the cycle of passing one ban after another and yet ignore the real issues that impact crime, it would not be the most effective use of our resources.

It’s time for an honest conversation, a conversation that I’m ready to lead when I’m sent back to Washington.