The 8th and the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019
H.R. 8 Introduced Into the U.S. House of Representatives

January 8, 2019 by TWN Staff
The 8th and the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019
Former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords walks to her waiting vehicle after a press conference held by House of Representatives Democratic members demanding legislative action on gun violence prevention. (Alex Edelman/Zuma Press/TNS)

On the 8th anniversary of the shooting in Arizona’s 8th congressional district, on January 8th, H.R. 8 is introduced into the House of Representatives.  

It was January 2011 when a man began shooting outside of a Safeway grocery store in Casas Adobes, Arizona during a “Congress On Your Corner” event being held by then-Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.  Wielding a 9mm pistol with a 33-round magazine, the man wounded 13 and killed 6 individuals.

On Tuesday, the 10 original coauthors of H.R. 8 introduced the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019.  The legislation would require background checks on all firearm sales.

“Since the inception of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force after the shooting at Sandy Hook, we have been working across the aisle to help prevent gun violence. Today we take a decisive step forward to help save lives right away. As a gun owner, hunter and supporter of the Second Amendment, I am honored to join with Democratic and Republican colleagues to introduce my universal background checks bill that will help keep guns out of the hands of people who should not have them,” said Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chairman Mike Thompson (CA-05). “From the public polling to the ballot box, the American people have spoken up and demanded action to help end the tragedy of gun violence that far too many in our country face every day. We will continue our fight and we will deliver.”

Republican Congressman Pete King (NY-02) says, “There is no single law that can put an end to mass shootings or gun violence, but there are certainly proactive steps we can take to keep guns out of the hands of felons, domestic abusers, and the dangerously mentally ill. When background checks are used, they keep guns out of the hands of people we all agree shouldn’t have guns.  As government officials it is our responsibility to protect our citizens, and when it comes to gun violence we must do more. The overwhelming majority of Americans want to see action, and we owe it to the victims and their families to prevent such tragedies from occurring again. I am proud to be the lead Republican sponsor of this legislation.”

 

Original authors of the legislation (Bill Text) include:

Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chairman Mike Thompson (CA-05)

Congressman Pete King (NY-02)

Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee Jerry Nadler (NY-10)

Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01)

House Judiciary Subcommittee Chairwoman Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18)

Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18)

Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02)

Congressman Fred Upton (MI-06)

Congresswoman Lucy McBath (GA-06)

Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04)

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