Capt. Mark Kelly Statement Applauding Passage of Bipartisan Gun Background Checks Amendment

May 29, 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Captain Mark Kelly, Co-Founder of Americans for Responsible Solutions, issued the following statement today applauding the passage of the bipartisan amendment co-sponsored by Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA), Congressman Peter King (R-NY), Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (D-CT), Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Congressman Joe Heck (R-NV) to the FY15 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill (HR 4660). The amendment, which passed in a bipartisan floor vote by 260 to 145, increases funding by $19.5 million to help ensure that states have the resources necessary to submit additional records of prohibited firearm purchasers to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for inclusion in the National Instant Criminal Background Checks System (NICS):

“One of the most effective ways we can reduce gun violence in our communities is by keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous people, and that means background checks. But our nation’s background check system is only as good as the records of dangerous individuals that it contains. Today, Republicans and Democrats came together to strengthen our background checks system by providing resources for states to include critical records in NICS. This will save lives. Gabby and I applaud Members from both sides of the aisle who voted for public safety. ”Today’s vote also signaled something more important: that the supposed choice between preserving our gun rights and preventing gun deaths and injuries is a false one. Moving forward, elected leaders from varied political and geographic backgrounds can and should work together to expand background checks, crack down on gun trafficking, protect women from stalkers and domestic abusers, and more – all while preserving the firearms rights and traditions that Gabby and I hold dear.”