State Representative Stacey Newman (D- Richmond Heights) is announcing continued efforts by legislators in eleven states to pass legislation requiring universal background checks on all firearms sales.
Even though universal background checks are supported by over 90% of Americans, legislation has stalled in Congress. However in 2013, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland and New York legislatures toughened their gun laws to prevent criminals and the mentally ill from easy access to firearms.
“We refuse to stand idly by as children and families are held hostage by gun violence. We know background checks work so we are combining our efforts this year,” said State Rep. Stacey Newman.
“Pro-gun legislators fear losing their next election and do nothing while constituents continue to grieve the loss of loved ones. We will not be silenced by the gun lobby as we work even harder to save lives,” she said.
Rep. Newman is joined by Arizona House Minority Leader Chad Campbell, Michigan State Rep. Jim Townsend, Minnesota State Rep. Michael Paymar, Nevada State Sen. Justin Jones, Ohio State Rep. Alicia Reece, Texas State Sen. Rodney Ellis, Virginia Del. Patrick Hope, Vermont State Rep. Linda Waite-Simpson, Washington State Sen. Adam Kline, Washington State Rep. Jamie Pedersen, Wisconsin State Rep. Jon Richards and Wisconsin State Sen. Nikiya Harris. Each has committed to re-introducing their background check bills, keeping current legislation alive or working to pass related state ballot initiatives.
Rep. Newman plans to re-file her background check bill (identical to HB187-2013) shortly after the Missouri legislature convenes on January 8th, 2014.
Already Colorado data shows that of the 4,792 background checks on private sales that were performed since their 2013 law went into effect, 72 sales were blocked because the would-be buyer was convicted of or charged with a serious crime, or was under a domestic restraining order.
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