The Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee plans to send the Bipartisan Background Checks Act to the floor for a vote. In fact, Jerrold Nadler says the committee will mark up the bill on Feb. 13.
“It’s finally time for action in Congress,” Nadler said to Reuters. “This bill will close the loopholes that have allowed felons, domestic violence abusers and other prohibited persons to purchase guns through private sales.”
The bill would require background checks for all firearm sales and most firearm transfers. This includes private sales and transfers that happen between individuals. In the House of Representatives, the bill has 230 co-sponsors, including five Republicans.
The bill will likely pass the House. However, it will probably die in the Senate, where gun rights supporters still thrive. Even if it did pass both houses, the President would still have to sign the legislation for it to become law. At this time, that is highly unlikely, as President Donald Trump currently supports the 2nd Amendment. In fact, President Trump has, or had, a New York City carry permit and owns several handguns, according to the Washington Times.
Currently, the bill provides exceptions for private transfers among family members, as well as executors of estates and such. However, changes can happen when the House Judiciary Committee marks up the bill. This, in fact, is how bills often get snuck through without the public noticing.
House Judiciary Committee Pushing Universal Background Checks
Anti-gun groups have long pushed for universal background checks, claiming this would end the “gun show loophole” and reduce gun violence. Former Rep. Gabby Giffords particularly supports this legislation, which was introduced eight years after she was shot in an attack. However, this bill would not have prevented that attack, as the shooter purchased the guns through an FFL and went through a background check. In fact, this bill couldn’t have prevented any mass shootings. Most of the shooters either went through background checks or stole the guns they used.
It has long been determined that criminals don’t care about or follow laws. This is what makes them criminals. California actually has most of the gun laws desired by the anti-gun crowd, including universal background checks. However, gun homicides in the Golden State still rose 18 percent between 2014 and 2016. Of course, anti-gunners can’t answer why; they just keep pushing more laws on the law-biding.
Consider contacting your Representative, and provide your thoughts on the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and whether it will work to reduce gun violence.
