WASHINGTON – This National Gun Violence Awareness Month, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Deputy Whip on the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, signed three discharge petitions to force a vote on common sense gun violence prevention measures – the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, Enhanced Background Checks Act, and the Assault Weapons Ban.
“In recent years, firearm-related deaths have soared to record rates impacting communities across the nation. More than 1 million Americans have been killed or injured by guns since the Sandy Hook tragedy. That is unacceptable,” said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes. “The Gun Violence Prevention Task Force has done the research, talked to victims, and heard out advocacy groups. We know that strengthening background checks, closing loopholes that allow individuals to purchase guns before approval, and banning assault weapons will save lives. There is no question about it. It is past time for the Majority to call a vote on these commonsense measures. Then, each Member will let the nation know if they put people over guns.”
Last Congress, House Democrats worked to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the most comprehensive gun violence prevention package in over three decades. This year, while Speaker McCarthy and many members of the Republican Party refuse to address the growing issue of gun violence in America, Democrats are providing solutions.
Congresswoman Jahana Hayes signed discharge petitions regarding the following three pieces of legislation which she also cosponsors:
- Assault Weapons Ban - This bill makes it a crime to knowingly import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess a semiautomatic assault weapon (SAW) or large capacity ammunition feeding device (LCAFD).
- Enhanced Background Checks Act - Increases the amount of time, from 3 business days to a minimum of 10 business days, that a federal firearms licensee must wait to receive a completed background check prior to transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person. (This type of transaction is often referred to as a default proceed transaction.)
- Bipartisan Background Checks Act - prohibits a firearm transfer between private parties unless a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer first takes possession of the firearm to conduct a background check.
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