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Democratic

John “Jack” Reed

Jack Reed is a champion for middle-class families and a strong believer that all Americans should have the opportunity to build a better life.

Jack was born and raised in Cranston and grew up on Pontiac Avenue.  His father, Joe, was a World War II veteran and Cranston school janitor who worked his way up to become custodial supervisor of the city's school system.  His mother, Mary, was a homemaker who was unable to go to college herself, but made sure her three children studied hard and had the opportunity to pursue a higher education.  The Reed family benefited from the GI Bill – a program that helped countless veterans further their education and put a roof over their heads – and Jack’s parents instilled in him the importance of serving his country and giving back to his community.

GUN SAFETY

Putting an End to America’s Gun Violence

As a former Army Ranger, Senator Reed has great respect for firearms, firearms education and training, and responsible gun ownership.

Yet, as America continues to experience horrific and senseless gun violence and mass-shootings, Senator Reed believes our nation must do much more to reduce gun violence.  He supports improving background checks, cracking down on gun trafficking, and passing practical gun safety laws that would make our communities safer.

Senator Reed has authored legislation to close loopholes that allow potentially dangerous people, such as convicted felons and individuals with a history of severe mental instability, to purchase firearms.  He also supports the Assault Weapons Ban, which would prohibit the sale of military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines.

Over the years, Reed has introduced or cosponsored legislation to close loopholes in our background check system and make it illegal for those on the FBI terror watch list to buy a gun, and successfully ended the ban on gun violence research at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

KEY PRIORITIES & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Senator Reed participated in the March For Our Lives rally with Rhode Island students advocating for an end to gun violence, and he cosponsored the Keep Americans Safe Act, which would prohibit the transfer, importation, or possession of magazines able to hold more than ten rounds of ammunition.
  • To create a federal red flag grant program that would support efforts like those undertaken in Rhode Island, Senator Reed introduced the bipartisan Extreme Risk Protection Order and Violence Prevention Act.  The legislation would help local law enforcement officials prevent dangerous individuals from purchasing or possessing firearms, while still providing due process protections.
  • Reed has cosponsored the Background Check Expansion Act, the Background Check Completion Act, the Fix NICS Act, the 3D Printed Gun Safety Act, the Keeping Gun Dealers Honest Act, and the Untraceable Firearms Act.
  • Senator Reed also helped secure $25 million to fund federal gun violence research for the first time in more than two decades at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).