Reducing Gun Violence in America

Floor Speech

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, today, the Senate is taking up commonsense legislation to help reduce gun violence in America.

I have and always will be a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment, and I strongly support the constitutional rights of my constituents to own guns. This bipartisan legislation to expand background checks does not infringe on the rights of law-abiding gun owners. Instead, it strengthens our existing system of background checks to help keep guns out of the hands of dangerous offenders.

Forty percent of guns sold in the United States currently don't go through background checks. Failing to act means that just anyone can continue to buy weapons at gun shows or over the Internet without being subject to a background check. The vast majority of Americans support background checks. Democrats and Republicans support background checks. The vast majority of responsible gun owners support background checks.

It is commonsense legislation that should be enacted, and it will make our country safer. I urge the House to take this up as soon as the Senate completes its work.

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