Congressman Pat Ryan Hosts Roundtable Discussion with Hudson Valley Gun Violence Prevention Leaders in Poughkeepsie

September 23, 2026 Press Release Congressman Pat Ryan Hosts Roundtable Discussion with Hudson Valley Gun Violence Prevention Leaders in Poughkeepsie Ryan – an Army combat veteran and member of the Congressional Gun Violence Prevention Task Force – has been a consistent advocate for gun violence prevention throughout his time in Congress Guns remain the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States ; Ryan is a proud co-sponsor of the Assault Weapons Ban and has championed legislation promoting universal background checks and safe gun storage Roundtable participants included representatives from Moms Demand Action, Family Services, local elected officials and more POUGHKEEPSIE, NY  – Last week, Congressman Pat Ryan – an Army combat veteran and member of the Congressional Gun Violence Prevention Task Force – joined Hudson Valley community leaders and gun violence prevention advocates for a roundtable discussion in Poughkeepsie. As violent crime rates continue falling in the Hudson Valley , advocates and leaders discussed efforts to build upon that progress and keep communities safe. Guns remain the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States ; in 2026, there have already been 83 incidents of gunfire on school grounds , resulting in 27 deaths and 47 injuries nationwide. Ryan is a proud co-sponsor of several bills curtailing the gun violence epidemic, including the Assault Weapons Ban. Roundtable participants included representatives from Moms Demand Action, Family Services, local elected officials and more. “I’m so grateful to everyone who gathered for today’s conversation. From local law enforcement, to elected leaders, to nonprofits dedicated to keeping our communities safe, this coalition has done amazing work toward ending the scourge of gun violence in Dutchess County and beyond. Tackling this epidemic requires all-hands-on-deck, and we recommitted to working together to save lives.,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “There is nothing more important than keeping our communities – especially our kids – safe. As a combat veteran I know the weapons I carried in war have no place on our streets or in our schools. That’s why I proudly co-sponsor the Assault Weapons Ban, and support legislation promoting red flag laws, safe firearm storage, and universal background checks. We’ve made encouraging progress, but there’s still more work ahead. While the Trump administration tries to roll back our efforts, I’m continuing to fight for commonsense gun safety legislation and to help make sure the people doing the work to keep our communities safe have the resources they need.” “At Family Services we see firsthand the devastating impact that violence has on children, families, and entire neighborhoods, and we also see the incredible strength and resilience of the people working to create safer communities,” said Leah Feldman, CEO, Family Services, Poughkeepsie. “That is why sustained investment in community violence intervention is so important. Programs like SNUG provide a critical connection between communities and the resources, support, and opportunities that can prevent violence. We are grateful for leaders like Congressman Ryan who recognize the importance of this work and continue to bring attention and resources to the effort to build safer communities.” When young people experience violence in their neighborhoods, schools, or homes, the impact can extend far beyond the immediate moment, affecting their sense of safety, their ability to learn, and their vision for what is possible for their future,” said Jill Gomez, ED, Poughkeepsie Children’s Cabinet. “As a Children’s Cabinet, we believe every young person deserves to grow up surrounded by adults, institutions, and systems that work together to create safe, connected communities. Preventing gun violence requires that same collective commitment: listening to young people and families, strengthening the places and relationships that protect them, and aligning our community’s resources around the conditions that allow every child to thrive.” “I am a Survivor Lead working out of MOMS Demand Action in the Hudson Valley. MOMS Demand Action continues to support initiatives that afford for our voices to be raised on Gun Violence prevention legislation and supporting candidates who wear GunSense on their sleeves. Boots on the ground advocacy for the support of Gun violence prevention is crucial, Gun Violence does not discriminate and we have to STAND ten toes down on electing those in office that will advocate endlessly to end Gun Violence. MOMS Demand Action will continue to advocate, be visible and support those entities that are working in sync to END GUN VIOLENCE,” said Kenya Gadsden. “Statistics often mention that on average 130 people are killed by guns every day in the U.S. with 200 shot and wounded. Guns are the leading cause of deaths among children and teens in this country. We can be the change!” Congressman Ryan is a proud member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and co-sponsor of the Assault Weapons Ban of 2025 , which makes it illegal to import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess semiautomatic assault weapons or large-capacity ammunition feeding devices. Existing owners of these weapons must store them securely. It also authorizes the use of Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funds to run buyback programs to compensate people who surrender their covered weapons or large-capacity magazines. In addition to the Assault Weapons Ban of 2025, Congressman Ryan proudly co-sponsors: H.R.2368 – Raise the Age Act of 2025 raises the minimum age to buy a semiautomatic firearm from 18 to 21 and prohibits a licensed gun dealer, importer, collector, or manufacturer from selling or transferring a semiautomatic center-fire shotgun to an individual under 21. H.R.18 – Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025 requires background checks for firearm transfers between private parties (i.e., unlicensed individuals) and prohibits the transfer of firearms between private parties unless a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer takes possession of the firearm first and conducts a background check. H.R.1564 – Ethan’s Law creates a framework to regulate firearm storage on residential premises at the federal, state, and tribal levels. At the federal level, it establishes requirements for firearms on residential premises to be safely stored if a minor can gain access or if a resident is ineligible to possess a firearm. Individuals who violate this rule face criminal penalties, and firearms stored in violation of the requirements are subject to seizure and forfeiture. At state and tribal levels, the bill requires the Department of Justice to award grants for the safe storage of firearms. H.R.3018 – Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act authorizes federal courts to issue federal extreme risk protection orders, which allow certain individuals (such as law enforcement officers and family members) to petition a court for a temporary order prohibiting an at-risk individual from purchasing or possessing firearms. H.R.4261 – Stopping the Fraudulent Sales of Firearms Act makes it illegal to sell or attempt to sell firearms or ammunition under pretenses. It strengthens regulations on the sale and distribution of firearms to improve overall safety and accountability in the firearms market. Congressman Ryan also knows that the intersection of gun violence and domestic abuse cannot be ignored . Women in the United States are five times more likely to be murdered if their abuser has access to a firearm, and someone is shot and killed by a current or former intimate partner every 12 hours. In May, Ryan introduced groundbreaking domestic violence legislation to protect victims and their families . Ryan’s bill works to expand New York State’s Melanie’s Law nationwide. Melanie’s Law, signed into law in New York in 2024, is named for Wappingers Falls woman Melanie Chianese. In 2022, Melanie was killed by her mother’s abuser after an egregious gap in the law left her unable to obtain an order of protection. Ryan’s legislation incentivizes states to adopt laws similar to Melanie’s Law through the creation of a new federal grant program. ### Issues : Ensuring Safety for All