Congresswoman Cori Bush Leads Oversight Investigation into Dangers of Tear Gas
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) joined Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties in sending letters to Safariland, Combined Systems Inc., and Pacem Defense LLC requesting documents and information regarding the safety of tear gas products manufactured by their companies.
“These products have routinely been deployed on non-violent protestors exercising their First Amendment rights. People should not have to worry that if they attend a non-violent protest, are in the vicinity of law enforcement action, or are medical workers assisting injured individuals, they may be exposed to poison with unknown effects,” the Members wrote.
Studies have shown significant adverse health outcomes for individuals exposed to tear gas. The safety of tear gas products sold in the United States appears to be largely left to the discretion of manufacturers. There are also concerning, unanswered questions about whether tear gas has exacerbated coronavirus symptoms or caused long-term lung damage to people who encounter it.
The Members asked the companies to provide the Subcommittees with information dating back to January 1, 2018, by June 24, 2021.
Additionally, the Members sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, Attorney General Merrick Garland, and EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan seeking information on whether there is any existing federal oversight of the use of tear gas products on humans. The letter included a request for a briefing on the regulation of tear gas.
“Despite concerns about health impacts, tear gas is commonly used in the United States by law enforcement as “riot control agents,’' the Members continued. “In the summer of 2020 alone, at least 100 law enforcement agencies used tear gas against civilian protestors. Law enforcement officials assert that “less lethal weapons,” including tear gas, are effective crowd-control tools and are less damaging than direct physical force. However, without proper study and regulation, there is no certainty that the use of tear gas is not causing significant and long-term health problems for those exposed. There are also concerning, unanswered questions about whether tear gas has exacerbated COVID-19 symptoms or caused long-term lung damage to protestors.”
Click here to read the letter to Secretary Becerra, Attorney General Garland, and Administrator Regan.
Click here to read the letter to Safariland.
Click here to read the letter to Combined Systems, Inc.
Click here to read the letter to Pacem Defense LLC.
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Congresswoman Cori Bush represents Missouri’s First Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. She serves on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. She is also a Deputy Whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and a proud member of the Congressional Black Caucus. She is a registered nurse, single mother, and an ordained pastor. Following the murder of Michael Brown Jr. by a now-terminated Ferguson police officer, she became a civil rights activist and community organizer fighting for justice for Black lives on the streets of Missouri and across the country.