Giffords Statement on Cornyn-Murphy Bill to Strengthen Background Check Records Reporting

November 16, 2017

November 16, 2017— Today Giffords, the gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Navy combat veteran and NASA astronaut Captain Mark Kelly, responded to the introduction of the Fix NICS Act of 2017, a new bill to strengthen background check records reporting by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Christopher Murphy (D-CT). Also originally cosponsoring the legislation are Senators Tim Scott (R-SC), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Dean Heller (R-NV), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).

Peter Ambler, Executive Director, Giffords:

“The background check system is only as strong as the records it contains, so this bill is a step in the right direction. It’s an important signal to states and federal agencies that Congress means business when it comes to ensuring a strong, effective background check system. And it demonstrates that Congress can come together to legislate solutions to gun violence. Even in the aftermath of the worst shooting in American history, the gun lobby wanted to weaken gun safety laws and move us backward. This proposal strengthens our laws and moves us forward. Of course, with the great magnitude of the gun violence problem we face, there is still a lot more to do and a long fight ahead, but today we thank Senator Murphy and Senator Cornyn for their courage to work across party lines to introduce legislation that will improve public safety.

“Importantly, this agreement would not have occurred without the millions of Americans who have raised their voices in support of safer gun laws. Their courage and resolve has elected new gun safety champions to office, held the politicians’ feet to the fire, and fundamentally shifted the politics on the issue of gun violence prevention. As we saw with the defeat of gun lobby ally Kelly Ayotte in New Hampshire in 2016 and the stunning losses of NRA-backed candidates in Virginia last week, we are winning.”

Related Resources:

Release: In Wake of Texas Tragedy, Giffords Releases Framework for Congress to Strengthen Background Check System [November 14, 2017]
Release: Virginia Voters Backed Candidates Who Led on Gun Safety and Stood Up to Gun Lobby [November 13, 2017]
Release: Giffords Law Center Files Suit to Uncover Extent of the NRA’s Influence over Trump Administration Gun Policy, Response to Recent Mass Shooting [November 10, 2017]