Ruben Gallego Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Background Checks for Sales and Transfers of Firearms
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) announced he will cosponsor H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019. The bill was sponsored by Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chairman Mike Thompson (CA-05). Rep. Gallego released the following statement:
"Since the background check system was established in 1998, the FBI has denied more than 1.3 million illegal firearm purchases, but glaring loopholes at gun shows and over the internet still exist. That is why I am proud to cosponsor bi-partisan legislation to establish a universal background check system to help prevent felons, the severely mentally ill, and criminals from purchasing dangerous weapons.
"I firmly believe that we can continue to come together and take commonsense steps like this to help prevent firearms from falling into the hands of dangerous individuals while also protecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans. For too long, the cost of inaction in Congress has been borne by thousands of mourning families. Americans have a fundamental right to live free from the threat of gun violence in their communities, and I will continue to work with my colleagues to address this public health crisis."
Bill text is available here.