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Foster Calls For House Action To Stop Gun Violence

June 26, 2014

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Bill Foster joined 163 other Member of Congress in calling on Speaker Boehner to bring legislation to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the dangerously mentally ill to the floor for a vote.

"We cannot sit idle while tragedy after tragedy demonstrates all too clearly that we are not doing enough to keep guns out of the hands of criminals," said Foster. "We need to take a comprehensive approach to this problem that protects the rights of lawful gun owners while keeping guns out of the hands of criminals and the dangerously mentally ill. Several pieces of legislation to do just that have been introduced, yet House Republicans refuse to bring them up for a vote."

The letter states, "our nation has suffered at least 74 school shootings since the Sandy Hook massacre. The factors allowing these rampages are no mystery: loopholes in the background check laws, straw purchases, restrictions on law enforcement, and gaps in our mental health system. Dozens of legislative proposals that address these factors have been introduced and await consideration. But despite wake-up call after wake-up call, a shameful tradition of Congressional inaction continues."

It goes on to say, "gun violence has affected constituents in every Congressional district, and as their representatives, Members of Congress deserve the opportunity to vote on bills that would address this epidemic."

Congressman Foster is a co-sponsor of H.R. 1565, the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act, which would close loopholes that allow individuals to purchase firearms without a background check, including buying firearms in the parking lot of a gun show, over the internet, or through a newspaper ad. This legislation also strengthens the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) by incentivizing states to improve reporting of criminals and the dangerously mentally ill and by directing funding for better record-sharing systems. It is identical to the Manchin-Toomey Amendment.