Congressman Eliot Engel, a member of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, today co-sponsored H.R. 8, the “Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019.” The legislation, introduced with bipartisan support, requires background checks on every gun sale or transfer, with a few carefully defined exceptions. It also requires unlicensed gun sellers to sell or transfer firearms only through licensed dealers.
“The days of the GOP blocking any and all commonsense gun violence prevention bills in the House are over,” Engel said. “Gun violence is an epidemic in this country, but due to past Republican Leaders’ obstinance, we have not been able to pass any meaningful bills to curb the problem. H.R. 8 is a much needed course correction that will finally expand desperately needed background checks for nearly everyfirearm sale. This bill serves as a powerful rebuke of the NRA and sets the tone for the Democratic caucus during the 116th Congress. It’s time to finally pass legislation that will help keep people safe from gun violence.
“I’m glad we can now have our voices heard on guns without having to resort to things like sit-in protests on the House floor.”
