Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Calls on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to Act on Background Checks Bill Amidst Gun Violence Crisis
June 19, 2019— Today, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to act to pass a background checks bill amidst a gun violence crisis. In a letter to Majority Leader McConnell she noted the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 over 100 days ago, and the Senate has failed to take action on the legislation. In the meantime, the gun violence crisis takes the lives of over 100 Americans every single day, and mass shootings are a far-too frequent occurrence.
Congresswoman Giffords wrote in the letter: “Speaking is difficult for me, but I am writing to say, as loudly as I can: bring H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, or S. 42, the Background Check Expansion Act, up for a vote without delay. We have a choice between unfettered fear and simple courage. In supporting background checks, the American people—and the U.S. House of Representatives—have chosen the latter. Now, the choice is yours, Senator.”
The Bipartisan Background Checks Act has broad support from all sectors of American life. Over 90 percent of Americans, including vast majorities of Republicans, Independents, and gun owners are in favor of requiring a background check for all gun sales. Background checks have stopped over 3 million illegal gun sales since 1994, but federal law is riddled with loopholes that allow prohibited persons to purchase firearms at gun shows, online, or in parking lots.
After the number of gun deaths in America reached its highest total in 40 years, the House of Representatives responded by passing legislation, holding hearings about the crisis, and considering additional bills that could address the challenge. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has refused to bring any proposals from the other chamber up for debate or consideration.
The letter ends by highlighting the danger of inaction: “Every moment we don’t act puts more lives at stake, more Americans at risk. Places that should be safe—our schools, our workplaces, our synagogues, mosques, churches, temples—feel like they’re under attack. This must change, and you have the power to change it.”
Related Resources:
- Press Release: 100 Days Since the House Passed Background Checks : Giffords detailed the actions the House of Representatives have taken this year to address the gun violence crisis.
- Fact Sheet: Universal Background Checks : This one-page fact sheet from Giffords Law Center details existing loopholes in federal background check laws.
- Fact Sheet: H.R. 8 : This one-page fact sheet from Giffords details how the universal background checks bill introduced today will close those existing loopholes.
The full text of the letter follows:
June 20, 2019
The Honorable Mitch McConnell Majority Leader U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20510
Dear Majority Leader McConnell,
It’s been 20 years since the news that two students murdered 12 classmates and one teacher at Columbine High School stunned the nation. It’s been over 18 months since we were horrified to learn that one man took the lives of 58 innocent people and wounded nearly 500 more at a concert in Las Vegas. A few weeks ago the nation was horrified by another breaking news alert: this time a gunman in Virginia Beach killed 12 people at a workplace. This past weekend, 19 shootings took place in the city of Philadelphia—on a playground, inside a deli, at a graduation party, among other places—leaving 28 victims, including five dead. Tragedies of this scale are the ones that punctuate our memories, but gun violence is sadly not at all uncommon. Every day, it claims the lives of 100 Americans.
In the eight years since I was shot, I’ve met thousands of people whose lives have been forever changed by gun violence. Scars. Trauma. Loved ones lost. Far too many families and communities will never be the same. The heartbreaking reality is that so many of these tragedies could have been prevented.
Four months ago, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019, the first piece of gun safety legislation passed in the House in more than a decade. Americans are now waiting for the Senate to take the next step. With nearly 100,000 people shot every year and nearly 40,000 people killed by guns in 2017 alone, we don’t have a moment to lose.
As a gun owner, my respect for the Second Amendment and the right to responsibly own guns runs deep. But I also know all too well that we must do more to prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands.
I chose a career in public service because I believe it’s the job of elected officials to make life better for others. To build a better, safer future. As a congresswoman, I took nothing more seriously than my duty to listen to the will of the American people. And today, Americans are demanding stronger gun laws. In fact, over 90 percent of Americans support making our country safer from gun violence by enacting universal background checks.
Speaking is difficult for me, but I am writing to say, as loudly as I can: bring H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, or S. 42, the Background Check Expansion Act, up for a vote without delay.
We have a choice between unfettered fear and simple courage. In supporting background checks, the American people—and the U.S. House of Representatives—have chosen the latter. Now, the choice is yours, Senator.
Every moment we don’t act puts more lives at stake, more Americans at risk. Places that should be safe—our schools, our workplaces, our synagogues, mosques, churches, temples—feel like they’re under attack. This must change, and you have the power to change it.
Sincerely,
Gabrielle Giffords