OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Preventing Gun Violence

Floor Speech

Date: July 6, 2016
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Guns

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, every day, 170 felons, 50 domestic abusers, and 20 fugitives are prevented from buying a gun after a background check raised a red flag.

Unfortunately, loopholes allow buyers to circumvent background checks at gun shows and over the Internet, which represents 40 percent of all gun purchases. This practice is neither safe nor smart. It is not fair to responsible gun buyers or sellers.

Closing these loopholes has broad bipartisan support. In fact, 90 percent of Americans--and 81 percent of Republicans--support background checks for all gun purchases.

Congress can and should do more to prevent gun violence. Background checks can keep guns out of the hands of violent criminals, fugitives, and people under investigation for terror activity.

It is time for a vote on this commonsense and bipartisan measure. Let's close these loopholes and keep guns out of the hands of terrorists and criminals.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT


Source
arrow_upward