Capt. Mark Kelly Applauds Re-Introduction of Bipartisan Bill to Combat Gun Trafficking, Crack Down on Illegal Gun Trade

September 9, 2015

September 9, 2015 – Navy combat veteran and retired NASA astronaut Captain Mark Kelly, the Co-Founder of Americans for Responsible Solutions, today applauded the re-introduction of a bipartisan bill in the House that would make firearms trafficking a federal crime and impose stronger penalties for “straw purchasers” who buy guns for individuals – like felons and convicted domestic abusers – who are prohibited under current federal law from buying or owning guns.

The United States currently lacks a strong, clear federal statute against gun trafficking, in which firearms are diverted from legitimate commerce to criminals and criminal networks.

The legislation, the Gun Trafficking Prevention Act of 2015, is co-sponsored by Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-New York), Patrick Meehan (R-Pennsylvania), Elijah Cummings (D-Maryland), Peter T. King (R- New York), Mike Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania), Robin Kelly (D-Illinois), Dan Donovan (R- New York), and Tammy Duckworth (D- Illinois).

”Once again, leaders from both parties in the House of Representatives have come together behind a commonsense proposal that would help keep guns out of the wrong hands and make our communities safer places to live,” said Captain Mark Kelly, the Co-Founder of Americans for Responsible Solutions. ”The bipartisan group of legislators sponsoring this bill should be applauded for standing up for common sense, standing up to the gun lobby, and leading the fight to crack down on the illegal gun trade. One of the biggest, most dangerous gaps in our nation’s gun laws is that we have no strong, clear federal law against gun trafficking. This bipartisan bill will help fix that by making it harder for straw purchasers and shady gun dealers to traffic illegal guns to dangerous people – all while protecting the Second Amendment rights of responsible, law-abiding gun owners.”

First introduced in 2013, the legislation was co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of 118 Members in the House. The bill:

Prohibits Firearms Trafficking: The bill prohibits the purchase or transfer of a firearm if the intent is to deliver it to someone else who is prohibited by federal or state law from possessing one.

Strengthens Penalties for Straw Purchasers: The bill strengthens penalties to up to 20 years imprisonment for “straw purchasers” who intentionally provide false or misleading material information when they purchase firearms from Federal Firearms Licensees.

Enhances Penalties for Kingpins and Multiple Illegal Purchases: The bill provides enhanced penalties for organizers or managers of firearms trafficking networks and recommends that the Sentencing Commission increase penalties for multiple illegal gun purchases.

The trafficking of firearms, which involves the diversion of guns from the legal to illegal market, is a major source of guns used in crime and a risk to the public safety of the United States. Every year, tens of thousands of guns enter into the illegal market through a number of channels, including: 1) corrupt and/or irresponsible gun dealers who are licensed but sell their guns off the books to traffickers, 2) unlicensed private sellers who sell at gun shows, online and elsewhere, 3) gun traffickers who falsely claim guns they purchased were lost or stolen to hide their involvement in crime, and 4) straw purchasers. Just 5% of all gun dealers are responsible for 90% of crime guns on America’s streets.