"Gun violence is a public health epidemic. Workers should not fear for their lives at work, and every person deserves to go into a house of worship without fearing violence, and our kids should be able to feel safe at school. Addressing gun violence with meaningful action is a moral obligation that is long overdue."

Congresswoman Underwood believes that gun violence prevention is a public health issue, and that Congress must respond accordingly with data-driven, evidence-based policies. Less than two months after Congresswoman Underwood took office, five people were killed and six were wounded by a mass shooter in the 14th District. That tragedy in a workplace in Aurora took place just one day after the eleven-year anniversary of another mass shooting at Northern Illinois University.

Congresswoman Underwood vowed to never forget the law enforcement and first responders who rushed toward the violence, undoubtedly saving countless lives, and honors the victims with action. Eleven days after the shooting, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 (H.R. 8), legislation co-sponsored by Congresswoman Underwood that requires a background check on every gun sale or transfer, including unlicensed gun dealers, with limited exceptions for family gifts, hunting and target shooting, and self-defense.

Congresswoman Underwood supports universal background checks for all gun sales to ensure that criminals don't have access to dangerous weapons. She supports efforts to limit access to guns for domestic abusers, stalkers, and others with existing legal actions regarding threats of violence, and because over half of gun deaths are suicides, she is fighting for policies that improve access to suicide prevention services and mental health care. She is also working to remove roadblocks to federal funding of research into how to best prevent gun violence.

Congresswoman Underwood is a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.