Rep. Ruben Gallego Votes for Background Checks Bill
WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) voted today for the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 (H.R. 8). He is a cosponsor of the bill, which expands background checks to cover all commercial firearm sales, including those at gun shows, over the internet, or in classified ads. The legislation includes reasonable exceptions such as giving a gun as a gift to a close family member or loaning a gun for hunting or target shooting.
"Background checks save lives and are one of the most effective ways to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals, domestic abusers, and people struggling with mental illness who may harm themselves or others," Rep. Gallego said.
"I am honored to cosponsor and vote for bipartisan legislation that will close glaring loopholes in our background check system while also upholding the rights of law-abiding citizens. Every American has a fundamental right to live free from the threat of gun violence. This is the first major step to reducing gun violence in our country, and I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress on commonsense plans to make our communities safer."
Nearly 40,000 Americans died last year as a result of gun violence. Since the background check system was created in 1993, over 3.5 million firearm sales have been blocked to violent criminals or other prohibited people. Expanding background checks to cover all sales is widely supported by over 90 percent of the American public and expert research has shown it is the fastest way to help keep communities safer from gun violence.
Rep. Ruben Gallego serves on the House Armed Services Committee and is a Marine Corps combat veteran. He is a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, which was established after the tragedy at Sandy Hook.