Background Checks Enjoy Overwhelming, Bipartisan Support
Washington, D.C. — One year ago today, the House of Representatives passed the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 (HR 8), requiring background checks on all firearm purchases, establishing a new background check system, and closing the “gun show loophole.”
But for a year now, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has been blocking H.R. 8 and other common sense gun safety legislation. Although the bill passed the House on a bipartisan vote last February, McConnell and his allies in the Senate are refusing to take a vote on this bill. Nearly 9 in 10 Americans support background checks.
By putting the wealthy corporate gun lobby ahead of the American people, McConnell and his Senate Republican allies are ensuring more Americans are victims of the epidemic of gun violence in our country.
“Senate Majority Leader McConnell has proven time and time again that he has no regard for the well-being of Americans, and there’s no better proof than the way this bipartisan bill has been stalled for an entire year,” said Joshua Karp of Fix Our Senate. “Parents have to worry about their kids going to school or the family trip to the mall because Mitch McConnell would rather protect the corporate gun lobby instead of stopping weapons from being sold to dangerous people. A vast majority of Americans support background checks for firearm purchases and nearly 40,000 people in our country died from gun violence last year. McConnell must address this crisis — and the solution is sitting right in front of him.”
➡ Demand Mitch McConnell stop obstructing bills that will help the American people, defend our democracy, and demand an end to the gridlock in the U.S. Senate at www.fixoursenate.org.