California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with a coalition of 14 attorneys general, has submitted a multi-state letter to congressional leaders advocating for the passage of the Caribbean Arms Trafficking Causes Harm Act (CATCH Act). The letter also encourages Congress to take additional measures to curb the flow of illegally trafficked firearms from the United States into the Caribbean. This influx of illegal arms has contributed to rising gun violence in the Caribbean, particularly in Haiti, where deteriorating security conditions and increased gang violence complicate international humanitarian aid efforts.
“We must stop the flow of illegal weapons from the United States to our neighbors in the Caribbean,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The CATCH Act is a step forward in the fight against gun violence in our nation and internationally. My office is committed to the safety and well-being of residents of California and beyond our borders. We will never stop pushing for commonsense measures to prevent gun violence.”
The CATCH Act would mandate that the U.S. Coordinator for Caribbean Firearms Prosecutions provide an annual report to Congress on anti-arms-trafficking efforts. This report would include details on the number, destination, and method of transportation of firearms, ammunition, and accessories related to investigations and prosecutions. It would also cover coordination efforts with federal, state, local law enforcement agencies, and any regional or international organizations. The letter urges Congress to explore additional methods to combat illegal arms trafficking by allocating sufficient resources to inspectors at U.S. ports and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), as well as requesting briefings from relevant U.S. agencies.
Attorney General Bonta is joined by attorneys general from Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the District of Columbia in filing this brief.
A copy of the comment letter can be found here.