Rep. Loretta Sanchez Applauds President Obama Taking Action to Curb Gun Violence

Statement

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46), senior member of the House Homeland Security Committee, released the following statement after President Obama announced a series of new executive actions to prevent and reduce gun violence in America.

"I applaud President Obama's executive actions to strengthen federal enforcement of gun laws and to address the crisis of gun violence across America. I believe these measures are consistent with existing law and essential to effective enforcement, which is the President's responsibility.

"Each year, 30,000 lives are lost to gun violence in America. The measures outlined by the President today will improve the speed and scope of background checks nationwide, promote effective enforcement of existing gun laws, improve mental health services, and sponsor new research on gun violence and enforcement strategies.

"These new enforcement initiatives will aid state and federal law enforcement efforts to prevent criminals and other dangerous or irresponsible people from obtaining guns and committing gun violence.

"President Obama's action is only the first step. Congress must take legislative steps to protect American families by targeting the illegal use of guns in crime, domestic terrorism and domestic violence, and by ensuring that appropriate funding is available to immediately tackle this devastating crisis.

"As a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, I will continue to work and advocate for common-sense legislation to strengthen gun laws, enable more effective enforcement at the state and federal levels, and support the rights of responsible gun owners.

"As President Obama so eloquently said today, gun violence robs victims of their lives, liberty and pursuit of happiness. I believe that we as a people can and must protect our families and communities from gun violence, by working with law enforcement and creating effective systems to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and perpetrators of violence."

Congresswoman Sanchez is a co-sponsor of the bipartisan King-Thompson legislation, H.R. 1217, the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2015. H.R. 1217 closes dangerous loopholes that have enabled domestic abusers, felons, and fugitives to buy guns without background checks through gun shows, the internet or classified ads. This pro-active legislation provides reasonable exceptions for firearm transfers between friends and family.

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