The Honorable Donna F Edwards
The Need for Universal Background Checks
June 22, 2016
Mr/Mrs Speaker, our nation remains horrified and heartbroken by the brutal act of terror and hate that killed 49 and wounded many more in Orlando, Florida, just over a week ago. Democrats stand with the loved ones of those lost, the LGBT community that has suffered this unimaginable act of violence, and the entire Orlando community as they work to recover from this tragedy. Working together we can disarm hate.
Gun violence has become unacceptably commonplace in our country – the Orlando attack being the deadliest mass shooting in the history of the United States (US). We have a responsibility to do more to keep guns out of the wrong hands.
But it isn’t just mass shootings that should be our focus. Guns have taken more lives in this country since 1968 than were lost in all of the wars this Nation has ever fought.
On average, more than 89 people die each day due to gun violence, whether that is by homicide, suicide, or accident. That adds up to more than 33,000 Americans being killed by guns each year.
Just over three years since Newtown, more than 111,300 people have been killed by someone using a gun in America.
And in my State in 2015 alone, more than 340 Marylanders lost their lives to guns.
Yet despite the national consensus for legislation to keep guns out of the hands of terrorists, convicted felons and domestic abusers, a vocal minority stands in the way of common sense proposals to make our nation safer. Those voices are forcing a false choice between constitutional rights and safe streets. We can do both. Congress can and must enact laws that improve the public’s safety, while still respecting the Constitution.
This Congress has no right to hold moments of silence for the victims, and then do nothing to prevent the next tragedy. This is a moment of truth – we cannot have another moment of silence without action. Congress must:
- Enact the bipartisan King-Thompson legislation to expand and strengthen our background checks system; and
- Pass the bipartisan No Fly, No Buy bill to keep guns out of the hands of suspected terrorists.
Today, I will focus my comments on the need for universal background checks. The Firearms Owners’ Protection Act of 1986 (FOPA) narrowed the definition of being “engaged in the business” of dealing in firearms and therefore required a federal firearms license (FFL). FOPA excluded those who buy and sell firearms for hobby, to enhance a personal collection, or to sell all or part of a collection.
Then, the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993 required ONLY licensed dealers to have a federal firearms license and therefore to conduct background checks. Those that are unlicensed sellers and individuals are not required to do so. So, a person who buys/sells 100s of guns at gun shows can say sales are for personal collection and therefore they do not need a license, nor do they need to conduct a background check or record the sale.
Such unlicensed dealers are a significant source of crime guns, with estimates of 40% of all purchases made through them and therefore without a background check.
Studies show background checks stop more than 170 felons, 50 domestic abusers & 20 fugitives a day from buying weapons.
Recent polling shows universal background checks are universally supported across the political spectrum.
A CBS News poll conducted last week showed 89 percent of respondents support legislation requiring background checks on all potential gun buyers. That number includes 97% of Democrats, 92% of Republicans, and even 82% of Independents.
Heck, even the National Rifle Association (NRA) used to support background checks at gun shows. On May 27, 1999, Wayne LaPierre, the current Executive Vice President and CEO of the NRA, testified before the House Judiciary Committee about one month after the Columbine High School shooting, in which 12 high school students and one teacher were murdered.
“We think it’s reasonable to provide mandatory instant background checks for every sale at every gun show. No loopholes anywhere for anyone,” said LaPierre.
Unfortunately, Mr. LaPierre and the NRA have flipped their position and now NO longer support expanded background checks and have worked to prohibit such action in Congress.
I am a cosponsor of H.R. 1217, the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2015, and H.R. 2380, the Gun Show Loophole Closing Act of 2015, both of which would close the so-called gun show loophole.
Mr/Mrs Speaker, Speaker Ryan, and my Republican colleagues, enough already! It is far past time to listen to the American public instead of the NRA & vote on universal background checks. Congress must not leave Washington without voting on common sense gun violence prevention legislation to keep the American people safe: No Bill, No Break.
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