Democratic United States congressman Bobby Scott, who represents Virginia’s 3rd district, has been appointed to a new congressional Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.
Scott will serve as vice-chair of the task force. He was appointed by its chair, Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA).
The task force was established by House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi in the wake of the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut which left 27 people dead.
It will look at what steps congress can take now, and in the future, to reduce gun violence.
The week after the elementary school shooting, President Obama appointed Vice President Biden to lead a task force on gun control – and report back with recommendations by the end of January.
“This is not some Washington commission… 6 months read and pushed aside, these are real reforms right now,” Obama said.
The president said he would push to make sure Congress acts on those recommendations.
Scott posted on Facebook that he is honored, and believe the task force is “a very important effort to review what Congress can do to reduce gun violence.”
“Obviously one single approach to ending gun violence will not be effective. What is needed is a comprehensive, evidence-based approach which will include gun safety, mental health, juvenile justice, and crime prevention initiatives. I look forward to working with Chairman Thompson and my colleagues on the task force on these issues in the 113th Congress.”
The 3rd district includes the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk and Richmond, all of the Counties of Charles City, New Kent, and Surry, and parts of the Counties of Henrico and Prince George.
