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BISHOP STATEMENT ON THE BIPARTISAN BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT OF 2019

February 27, 2019

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 by a vote of 240 to 190.

"I support the Constitution of the United States in its entirety, including the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms. That right, however, is appropriately subject to reasonable measures including reasonable background checks to limit access by those whose mental health or criminal history demonstrates a lack of requisite responsibility.

"Today, I voted to ensure that all gun sales are subject to a background check, so that individuals who are a danger to themselves and others are no longer able to legally purchase a gun. This commonsense, bipartisan legislation requires all gun sellers – including private vendors, online sellers, and sellers at gun shows – to conduct background checks on potential buyers. This legislation, which an overwhelming number of Americans support, including gun owners, like myself, will reduce firearm trafficking, aid law enforcement's ability to trace crime guns, and keep guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals," said Bishop.

"This bill has carefully defined exceptions that will continue to allow the gifts to family members, or the loan of a gun for hunting, target shooting, and self-defense. Its purpose is simply to ensure that individuals already prohibited from gun possession under federal law are not able to obtain firearms."