House passes gun legislation that would expand background checks

Gun News

[ad_1]

The House passed gun legislation that would expand background checks on all commercial gun sales, marking the first congressional move on significant gun control since Democrats won the White House and the majority in both chambers of Congress.

The House passed the legislation in two separate votes.

The first vote on H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021, passed 227-203 and would expand background checks for all firearm sales or transfers in the country. Currently, background checks are not required for gun sales and transfers by unlicensed and private sellers.

And eight Republicans supported the legislation and one Democrat voting against it.

The eight Republicans were Vern Buchanan of Florida, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Maria Salazar of Florida, Andrew Garbarino of New York, Chris Smith of New Jersey, Fred Upton of Michigan, Carlos Gimenez of Florida and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois.

And the lone Democrat was Rep. Jared Golden, who also voted against the Covid-19 package.

Two Republicans voted for it in 2019 but did not support it this time around — Reps. Brian Mast and Mario Diaz-Balart.

Separate legislation, H.R. 1446, introduced by Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina and called the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021, passed 218-210 would close what’s known as the “Charleston Loophole,” which allows some licensed gun sales to go through before a required background check is done. Using that loophole, Dylann Roof was able to legally purchase a firearm to kill nine people at a historically Black church in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2015.

Two Democrats opposed the legislation — Reps. Ron Kind of Wisconsin and Golden.

And the Republicans who voted for this legislation were Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Chris Smith of New Jersey.

“These people who were practicing their faith, their faith that taught them to welcome in a stranger, a stranger came to their door and they welcomed into their Bible study, he sat with them for an hour,” Clyburn said on the House floor Wednesday. “The stranger that they had welcomed in had opened fire and killed nine of them, one of who was the pastor, a former intern of mine.”

“This law would have prevented that gentleman from getting a gun,” Clyburn added.

The bills are expected to pass the House but will face a steep uphill climb in the Senate as Democrats hold a slim 50-50 majority and would need significant Republican support to overcome a legislative filibuster. Still, the legislation remains a priority for the Biden administration.

But Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer committed to putting the Bipartisan Background Checks Act on the Senate floor for a vote and suggested having discussions after on how to work with Republicans.

“We’ll have the good sense to have had this bill twice and in the past when they send it over to us last time, it went into Mitch McConnell’s legislative graveyard. The legislative graveyard is over. H.R. 8 will be on the floor of the Senate and we will see where everybody stands,” Schumer said. “No more thoughts and prayers. A vote is what we need. A vote.”

When asked what will need to happen for Senate Democrats to get to 60 votes on the legislation, Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said there have been “ongoing conversations” to get Republicans to sign on.

“There have been ongoing conversations off and on all the way through. And, you know, I think Sen. Schumer was clear that the initial vote would be on H.R. 8, and then we would talk about what might be advisable and necessary to pass it,” he told reporters.

And Sen. Chris Murphy, also a Connecticut Democrat, expressed hope some sort of gun control legislation could pass in the Senate.

“I just think we’re living in such a different world than 2013. So much has changed. The politics around us are fundamentally different….I just think that you can’t compare 2013 to 2021. I think there are a lot of Republican senators that are thinking about voting for a proposal allows them to get right on this issue,” Murphy said, who represents Connecticut where the Sandy Hook shooting took place.

He added: “And we will see where people stand. And maybe we’ll get the votes and if we don’t we’ll come together and figure out how we’re going to get this done because we have to get it done.”

The White House has also said gun control legislation is a “priority” for President Joe Biden.

“I will say that the President is somebody, throughout his career, who has advocated for smart gun — smart gun safety measures,” press secretary Jen Psaki said during a White House briefing last month, adding that the President is “not afraid of standing up to the NRA — he’s done it multiple times and won — on background checks and a range of issues. And it is a priority to him on a personal level.”

Brian Lemek — the executive director of Brady PAC, the sister organization of gun violence prevention group the Brady Campaign — praised the House members who supported the legislation.

“Members of the House of Representatives made it clear today, with bipartisan support, where they stand on preventing a countless number of deaths from happening again in the future. Between now and 2022, Brady PAC will make sure every voter knows and doesn’t forget who did and did not vote for this lifesaving piece of legislation that 90% of Americans support,” he said.

This story and headline have been updated with additional developments Thursday.

[ad_2]

Source link

Articles You May Like

Federal judge rules in favor of Alabama plaintiffs challenging ATF rule defining who qualifies as a firearms dealer
Public Less Safe Since Publix Allows Open Carry
Over 6,200 Murders in Chicago During Last Decade
Lower gun buying age sought
Spencer’s 4 touchdown game sets program record as Keiser defeats Florida Memorial

30 Comments

  1. 8502 883581I think this is one of the most significant info for me. And im glad reading your post. But want to remark on some general things, The web web site style is ideal, the articles is really great : D. Very good job, cheers 140509

  2. 964064 201674Hey There. I discovered your weblog making use of msn. That is really a very smartly written post. I will make positive to bookmark it and come back to read far more of your valuable data. Thanks for the post. I will certainly return. 433725

  3. 940327 203356Aw, this really is an extremely nice post. In thought I would like to put in spot writing like this moreover – spending time and actual effort to create a good article but exactly what do I say I procrastinate alot by means of no indicates appear to get something accomplished. 492103

  4. 539874 969977wonderful work Excellent weblog here! Also your web web site a whole lot up rapidly! What web host are you the usage of? Can I get your associate link on your host? I want my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol 161020

  5. 277911 490029This design is spectacular! You certainly know how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool! 314126

  6. 865136 423463Your write-up is truly informative. A lot more than that, it??s engaging, compelling and well-written. I would desire to see even a lot more of these types of excellent writing. 898767

  7. 224010 155571I believe other site proprietors really should take this internet site as an model, very clean and fantastic user friendly style and design, as well as the content material. You are an expert in this topic! 153923

  8. 710461 602303Your weblog is among the far better blogs Ive came across in months. Thank you for your posts and all the best together with your function and weblog. Seeking forward to reading new entries! 339382

  9. 568985 164687for however yet another excellent informative post, Im a loyal reader to this weblog and I cant stress enough how significantly valuable details Ive learned from reading your content material. I actually appreciate all of the hard work you put into this excellent weblog. 372572

  10. 687213 112254Hello, Neat post. There is an problem along with your web site in internet explorer, could test thisK IE nonetheless could be the marketplace leader and a huge portion of other folks will miss your magnificent writing because of this dilemma. 10858

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *