Acevedo testified before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. This was the first Judiciary Committee hearing on gun control in nearly eight years.
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Acevedo called gun violence "one of our greatest public health epidemics." He told lawmakers to stop with the prayers and start passing gun laws.
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"I believe the legislation will save at least one life and if it's my child who dies, I want him to know and I want God to know that I was here today speaking on that life," said Acevedo.
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Acevedo's appearance comes a week after four HPD officers were shot and one hurt during a drug raid.
Acevedo said it's time to strengthen universal background checks, better fund the ATF and give police officers the tools to temporarily remove guns from domestic abusers.