Congressman Steven Horsford Votes to Pass Historic Gun Safety Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Steven Horsford voted to pass H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and H.R. 1446, the Enhanced Background Checks Act. These pieces of legislation will expand background checks, close the Charleston Loophole, and keep our communities safe.
"Gun violence has taken a personal, devastating toll on American families — including my own. When I was just 19, my own father was shot and killed in a senseless act of violence. No family should have to experience this pain and suffering because of our broken gun laws. Common-sense background checks like those in H.R. 8 and H.R. 1446 are supported by more than 90 percent of Americans because they prevent needless deaths and keep weapons out of dangerous hands," said Congressman Steven Horsford. "I'm proud to support these important bills, which will require a background check for every gun sale and end the Charleston Loophole to ensure that dangerous individuals are not able to obtain deadly weapons."
During the 116th Congress, both the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and the Enhanced Background Checks Act passed the House on a bipartisan vote.
H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act will require a background check for every gun sale or transfer with reasonable exceptions including gifts to family members and temporary transfers for purposes such as hunting, target shooting, and self defense.
H.R. 1446, the Enhanced Background Checks Act, will close the "Charleston Loophole" which currently allows the sale of a firearm to proceed if a background check is not completed within three business days. The Charleston Loophole enabled the horrific hate crime at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, and instances of the Charleston Loophole exception are particularly common in domestic violence cases.
For more information on H.R. 8, click here.
For more information on H.R. 1446, click here.
MEDIA CONTACT
Geneva Kropper | Geneva.Kropper@mail.house.gov | 202-849-0251