Mike Levin: “Last week many of our Nation's police officers joined together in Washington, DC to celebrate National Police Week. It…”

“Last week many of our Nation's police officers joined together in Washington, DC to celebrate National Police Week. It began Monday, May 13 with a candlelight vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The week-long tribute to our Nation's Federal, State and local police officers honors those who died in the line of duty and those who continue to serve and protect us everyday at great personal risk. According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, in 2001 there were 230 police officers killed in the line of duty. While many of the officers who were killed in the line of duty over the past year died as a result of the tragic events of September 11, there were many other officers who died because of gun violence. Of the 230 police officers killed in the line of duty last year, 68 were killed by a firearm. To help stem the tide of gun violence, Senator Reed introduced the Gun Show Background Check Act. I cosponsored that bill because I believe it is an important tool to help to prevent guns from getting into the hands of criminals.”