Gun Ownership

Fought to Protect Second Amendment Rights:  Co-sponsored H.R. 1399, the District of Columbia Personal Protection Act, which would repeal the District of Columbia’s ban on handguns, repeal registration requirements, and restore an individual’s right to keep a loaded firearm at home.  Congressman Bishop also co-sponsored H.R. 861, the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2007, which would permit any person with a valid concealed firearm carrying a state-issued permit or license to carry a concealed firearm in any other state.  He also signed on to a January 2008 amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court upholding the Second Amendment as a fundamental individual right.

Law Enforcement

Fought to Put More Police Officers On The Streets:  Co-sponsored H.R. 1700, the COPS Improvement Act, which will allow for the hiring of up to 50,000 new police officers on the beat over the next six years.  This bill reinvigorates the COPS program – including authorizing $600 million per year for hiring grants.

Fought for Increased Funding for Law Enforcement Efforts:  Co-sponsored H.R. 3546, which would authorize the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program at FY 2006 levels through 2012.  The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants have been used to provide significant support for law enforcement agencies, courts, prosecutors and victim service organizations in their efforts to prevent and fight crime.

Fought to Protect Law Enforcement Officers:  Co-sponsored H.R. 6045, the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act, which would double the current authorization of the highly successful Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program administered by the Department of Justice.

School Safety

Fought to Protect Our Schools:  Co-sponsored H.R. 2352, the School Safety Enhancements Act, which would add to the list of acceptable uses for a Secure Our Schools grant (a federal matching grant project to help local governments afford security equipment and training in their schools), most notably to allow schools to develop a telephone hotline that students can call to report tips.  The legislation would also increase the amount of funding allowed for school safety grants to $50 million annually, and increase the federal share of security improvements from 50 percent to 80 percent to take more of the burden off of local governments.

Children

Fought to Protect Our Children:  Co-sponsored H.R. 3845, the PROTECT Our Children Act, which would build a strong nationwide network of highly trained law enforcement experts to track down online sexual predators and incarcerate them.

Fought to Reduce Gang Violence and Crime Among Youth:  Co-sponsored H.R. 3846, the Youth Prison Reduction through Opportunities, Mentoring, Intervention, Support, and Education Act, which assists states and communities to undertake and implement comprehensive, evidence-based strategies to prevent and reduce youth violence while helping at-risk youth avoid gang activity and become productive members of their communities.

Elder Abuse

Fought to Protect Our Elderly:  Co-sponsored H.R. 1783, the Elder Justice Act, which provides states with resources to prevent elder abuse, increase prosecution of those who mistreat the elderly, and provides victim assistance.

Drug Abuse

Fought to Provide Comprehensive Methamphetamine Treatment to Protect Kids:  Co-sponsored H.R. 405, the Family-Based Meth Treatment Access Act of 2007, which expands, intensifies and coordinates efforts to provide comprehensive, family-based substance abuse for methamphetamine addiction.  The legislation also provides counseling, medical treatment, parenting training, education and legal services to mothers recovering from methamphetamine as well as their children.  Congressman Bishop also co-sponsored H.R. 3186, the Meth Mouth Prevention and Community Recovery Act, which provides for a school-based prevention program to educate students about the oral health risks associated with methamphetamine use.

Criminal Justice

Fought to Assist the Wrongfully Convicted:  Co-sponsored H.R. 4063, the Restitution for the Exonerated Act, which would create a competitive grant program in the U.S. Department of Justice for nonprofit organizations that address the unique needs of the exoneree community.

Fought to Ensure the Safe Transition of Prisoners Into Communities:  Supported H.R. 1593, the Second Chance Act, which provides grants to states and local governments that may be used to promote the safe and successful reintegration into the community of individuals who have been incarcerated.

Fought to End Sentencing Disparities:  Co-sponsored H.R. 4545, the Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act, which would eliminate sentencing disparities between crack and powder cocaine as well as the current mandatory minimum for simple possession. In addition, the legislation establishes grants for drug treatment programs, gives the U.S. Sentencing Commission discretion to review sentencing enhancements for crack offenses, and attempts to focus federal resources on major drug dealers.

Racial Profiling 

Fought to End Racial Profiling: Co-sponsored H.R. 4611, the End Racial Profiling Act, which prohibits any local, state or federal law enforcement agency or officer from engaging in the ineffective and un-American practice of racial profiling.