Congressional Record, House, March 10, 2021 — Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021

Summary

A page of the Congressional Record, House, dated March 10, 2021, at pages H1286 and H1287. It begins with the end of a recorded vote, with the nays listed as 211, after which the motion to concur is agreed to, and then communications to the Speaker: a legislative correspondent's notice that she has been served with subpoenas for testimony, and the resignation of Representative Fudge from the 11th Congressional District of Ohio effective that day. Mr. Nadler, pursuant to House Resolution 188, calls up H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021, a bill to require a background check for every firearm sale, and the text of the bill is printed.

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“Congressional Record, House, March 10, 2021 — Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021.” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-03-10-crec-2021-03-10-pt1-pgh1286-3-f97756e36c/, SHA-256 76423902436357227b14abc8ebd3ccca93631b6d4edd9c0dc4c9ba5b97719b5b.

Full text

H1286 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 10, 2021
Pingree Schrier Tlaib b 1408 Thank you for your leadership of our great
Pocan Scott (VA) Tonko State.
Porter Scott, David Torres (CA) Mr. KATKO changed his vote from Sincerely,
Pressley Sewell Torres (NY) ‘‘yea’’ to ‘‘nay.’’ MARCIA L. FUDGE.
Price (NC) Sherman Trahan So the motion to concur was agreed
Quigley Sherrill Trone to. f
Raskin Sires Underwood
The result of the vote was announced COMMUNICATION FROM LEGISLA-
Rice (NY) Slotkin Vargas
Ross Smith (WA) Veasey as above recorded. TIVE CORRESPONDENT, THE
Roybal-Allard Soto Vela A motion to reconsider was laid on HONORABLE MARILYN STRICK-
Ruiz Spanberger Velázquez the table. LAND, MEMBER OF CONGRESS
Ruppersberger Speier Wasserman MEMBERS RECORDED PURSUANT TO HOUSE
Rush Stanton Schultz RESOLUTION 8, 117TH CONGRESS The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be-
Ryan Stevens Waters
Allred (Davids Kirkpatrick Payne
fore the House the following commu-
Sánchez Strickland Watson Coleman nication from Elizabeth Beltran, legis-
(KS)) (Stanton) (Wasserman
Sarbanes Suozzi Welch
Scanlon Swalwell Wexton
Babin (Norman) Langevin Schultz) lative correspondent, the Honorable
Baird (Walorski) (Lynch) Pingree (Kuster) MARILYN STRICKLAND, Member of Con-
Schakowsky Takano Wild Barragán (Beyer) Lawson (FL) Porter (Wexton)
Schiff Thompson (CA) Williams (GA) Bush (Ocasio- (Evans) Roybal-Allard gress:
Schneider Thompson (MS) Wilson (FL) Cortez) Lieu (Beyer) (Leger HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Schrader Titus Yarmuth Cárdenas Lofgren (Jeffries) Fernandez) Washington, DC, March 5, 2021.
(Gomez) Lowenthal Ruiz (Aguilar) Hon. NANCY PELOSI.
NAYS—211 Cleaver (Davids (Beyer) Rush
(KS)) McEachin (Underwood)
Speaker, House of Representatives,
Aderholt Golden Moolenaar Washington, DC.
Cohen (Beyer) (Wexton) Steube
Allen Gonzales, Tony Mooney DEAR MADAM SPEAKER: This is to notify
DeFazio (Davids McHenry (Banks) (Franklin, C.
Amodei Gonzalez (OH) Moore (AL)
(KS)) Meng (Clark Scott) you formally, pursuant to Rule VIII of the
Armstrong Good (VA) Moore (UT)
Arrington Gooden (TX) Mullin
Fudge (Kaptur) (MA)) Strickland Rules of the House of Representatives, that
Grijalva (Garcı́a Moore (WI) (DelBene) I, Elizabeth Beltran, have been served with
Babin Gosar Murphy (NC) (IL)) (Beyer) Thompson (MS) subpoenas for testimony issued by the
Bacon Granger Nehls Hastings Morelle (Tonko) (Butterfield)
Baird Graves (LA) Newhouse (Wasserman Moulton (Rice Watson Coleman
United States District Court for the Middle
Balderson Graves (MO) Norman District of Florida. The testimony sought re-
Schultz) (NY)) (Pallone)
Banks Green (TN) Nunes lates to events witnessed while I was em-
Johnson (TX) Napolitano Wilson (FL)
Barr Greene (GA) Obernolte ployed by the Speaker’s office as a Staff As-
(Jeffries) (Correa) (Hayes)
Bentz Griffith Owens
f sistant.
Bergman Grothman Palazzo
Bice (OK) Guest After consultation with the Office of Gen-
Palmer
Biggs Guthrie RESIGNATION FROM THE HOUSE eral Counsel, I have determined that compli-
Pence
Bilirakis Hagedorn Perry OF REPRESENTATIVES ance with the subpoenas is consistent with
Bishop (NC) Harris Pfluger the privileges and rights of the House.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr.
Boebert Harshbarger Posey Sincerely,
Bost Hartzler Reed
VEASEY) laid before the House the fol- ELIZABETH BELTRAN,
Brady Hern Reschenthaler lowing resignation from the House of Legislative Correspondent.
Brooks Herrell Rice (SC) Representatives:
Buchanan Herrera Beutler Rodgers (WA)
f
Buck Hice (GA) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Rogers (AL) BIPARTISAN BACKGROUND
Bucshon Higgins (LA) Rogers (KY)
Washington, DC, March 10, 2021.
Budd Hill Rose Hon. NANCY PELOSI, CHECKS ACT OF 2021
Burchett Hinson Rosendale Speaker of the House,
Burgess Hollingsworth Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, pursuant
Rouzer Washington, DC.
Calvert Hudson Roy DEAR SPEAKER PELOSI: It has been my to House Resolution 188, I call up the
Cammack Huizenga Rutherford honor and privilege to serve the people of the bill (H.R. 8) to require a background
Carl Issa
Carter (GA) Jackson
Salazar 11th Congressional District of Ohio since No- check for every firearm sale, and ask
Scalise vember 2008. My appreciation for their sup- for its immediate consideration.
Carter (TX) Jacobs (NY)
Schweikert port as I sought to represent their interests
Cawthorn Johnson (LA)
Scott, Austin
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
Chabot Johnson (OH)
Sessions
and those of many Americans for whom I The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
Cheney Johnson (SD) could be a voice is boundless.
Cline Jordan
Simpson ant to House Resolution 188, the bill is
Smith (MO) I will always remember my colleagues and
Cloud Joyce (OH) friends who have become a part of my family
considered read.
Smith (NE)
Clyde Joyce (PA)
Smith (NJ) during the last twelve years. I am fortunate The text of the bill is as follows:
Cole Katko
Smucker to have been selected by President Joe Biden H.R. 8
Comer Keller
Crawford Kelly (MS) Spartz to continue to serve the public good as Sec- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
Stauber retary of Housing and Urban Development.
Crenshaw Kelly (PA) resentatives of the United States of America in
Curtis Kim (CA) Steel Therefore, please accept this correspond-
Stefanik
Congress assembled,
Davidson Kinzinger ence as notice of my resignation from the SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
Davis, Rodney Kustoff Steil
Steube U.S. House of Representatives, 11th Congres- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Bipartisan
DesJarlais LaHood sional District of Ohio, effective imme-
Diaz-Balart LaMalfa Stewart Background Checks Act of 2021’’.
Donalds Lamborn Stivers diately upon delivery on March 10, 2021.
SEC. 2. PURPOSE.
Duncan Latta Taylor Thank you for your leadership and support
Tenney during my tenure. The purpose of this Act is to utilize the
Dunn LaTurner
Thompson (PA) Sincerely, current background checks process in the
Emmer Lesko
Estes Long Timmons MARCIA L. FUDGE. United States to ensure individuals prohib-
Fallon Loudermilk Turner ited from gun possession are not able to ob-
Feenstra Lucas Upton tain firearms.
Valadao
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Ferguson Luetkemeyer SEC. 3. FIREARMS TRANSFERS.
Van Drew Washington, DC, March 10, 2021.
Fischbach Mace (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 922 of title 18,
Fitzgerald Malliotakis Van Duyne Hon. MIKE DEWINE,
Fitzpatrick Mann Wagner Governor of Ohio, United States Code, is amended by adding at
Fleischmann Massie Walberg Columbus, OH. the end the following:
Fortenberry Mast Walorski DEAR GOVERNOR DEWINE: Effective March ‘‘(aa)(1)(A) It shall be unlawful for any per-
Foxx McCarthy Waltz 10, 2021, I have resigned my seat in the U.S. son who is not a licensed importer, licensed
Franklin, C. McCaul Weber (TX) House of Representatives representing the manufacturer, or licensed dealer to transfer
Scott McClain Webster (FL) a firearm to any other person who is not so
11th Congressional District of Ohio. Enclosed
Fulcher McClintock Wenstrup
is a copy of my letter of resignation to the licensed, unless a licensed importer, licensed
Gaetz McHenry Westerman
Gallagher McKinley Williams (TX) Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, which manufacturer, or licensed dealer has first
Garbarino Meijer Wilson (SC) was hand delivered to her this afternoon. taken possession of the firearm for the pur-

dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE
Garcia (CA) Meuser Wittman An Ohioan born and bred, serving the peo- pose of complying with subsection (t).
Gibbs Miller (IL) Womack ple of the 11th Congressional District has ‘‘(B) Upon taking possession of a firearm
Gimenez Miller (WV) Young been an honor. My selection by President under subparagraph (A), a licensee shall
Gohmert Miller-Meeks Zeldin Joe Biden as Secretary of Housing and Urban comply with all requirements of this chapter
Development and confirmation by the Sen- as if the licensee were transferring the fire-
NOT VOTING—1 ate will allow me to continue to serve the arm from the inventory of the licensee to the
Tiffany public good. unlicensed transferee.

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March 10, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1287
‘‘(C) If a transfer of a firearm described in Code, to enact a law on the same subject Gun violence of this magnitude is a
subparagraph (A) will not be completed for matter as this Act. distinctly American problem. A recent
any reason after a licensee takes possession (d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment
study in the American Journal of Medi-
of the firearm (including because the trans- made by subsections (a) and (b) shall take ef-
fer of the firearm to, or receipt of the fire- fect 180 days after the date of enactment of cine found that compared to 29 other
arm by, the transferee would violate this this Act. high-income countries, the gun-related
chapter), the return of the firearm to the The SPEAKER pro tempore. The bill murder rate in the United States is 25
transferor by the licensee shall not con-
shall be debatable for 1 hour, equally times higher. Even when you adjust for
stitute the transfer of a firearm for purposes population differences, Americans are
of this chapter. divided and controlled by the chair and
ranking minority member of the Com- disproportionately killed by gun vio-
‘‘(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to—
‘‘(A) a law enforcement agency or any law mittee on the Judiciary. lence. This is a disparity that we can
enforcement officer, armed private security The gentleman from New York (Mr. remedy by passing this bill.
professional, or member of the armed forces, NADLER) and the gentleman from Ohio With the exception of certain limited
to the extent the officer, professional, or (Mr. JORDAN) each will control 30 min- transfers, such as gifts to family mem-
member is acting within the course and bers and transfers for hunting, target
scope of employment and official duties;
utes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman shooting, and self-defense, H.R. 8 would
‘‘(B) a transfer that is a loan or bona fide extend the current Federal background
gift between spouses, between domestic part- from New York.
check requirement—which applies now
ners, between parents and their children, in- b 1415 only to licensed gun dealers—and
cluding step-parents and their step-children,
between siblings, between aunts or uncles GENERAL LEAVE would require virtually all trans-
and their nieces or nephews, or between Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I ask actions to undergo a background check
grandparents and their grandchildren, if the unanimous consent that all Members to help ensure that firearms do not end
transferor has no reason to believe that the may have 5 legislative days in which to up in the wrong hands.
transferee will use or intends to use the fire- revise and extend their remarks and in- I thank Representative MIKE THOMP-
arm in a crime or is prohibited from pos-
sert extraneous material on H.R. 8. SON of California for drafting this im-
sessing firearms under State or Federal law;
‘‘(C) a transfer to an executor, adminis- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there portant legislation and for being a
trator, trustee, or personal representative of objection to the request of the gen- champion of gun violence prevention in
an estate or a trust that occurs by operation tleman from New York? Congress.
of law upon the death of another person; There was no objection. Simply put, H.R. 8 will save lives. I
‘‘(D) a temporary transfer that is nec- Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield urge my colleagues to support this leg-
essary to prevent imminent death or great myself such time as I may consume. islation and to support safer streets,
bodily harm, including harm to self, family, Mr. Speaker, gun violence impacts safer schools, and safer communities.
household members, or others, if the posses- all of our communities, and no place is Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of
sion by the transferee lasts only as long as
immune from its reach, including our my time.
immediately necessary to prevent the immi-
nent death or great bodily harm, including homes, our streets, our schools, and Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 21⁄2
the harm of domestic violence, dating part- even our places of worship. That is why minutes to the distinguished gen-
ner violence, sexual assault, stalking, and we must take swift and decisive action tleman from Kentucky (Mr. MASSIE),
domestic abuse; to reduce the daily toll of gun violence the co-chair of the Second Amendment
‘‘(E) a transfer that is approved by the At- that afflicts our Nation. H.R. 8, the Bi- Caucus.
torney General under section 5812 of the In- partisan Background Checks Act of Mr. MASSIE. Mr. Speaker, Demo-
ternal Revenue Code of 1986; or 2021 is sensible and effective legislation
‘‘(F) a temporary transfer if the transferor
crats today want to introduce gun con-
has no reason to believe that the transferee to do just that. trol legislation that they say is going
will use or intends to use the firearm in a Under current law, gun sales con- to make you safer. They want to ex-
crime or is prohibited from possessing fire- ducted by licensed firearms dealers pand background checks.
arms under State or Federal law, and the may only be completed if the buyers But what do background checks ac-
transfer takes place and the transferee’s pos- clear background checks. This bill complish?
session of the firearm is exclusively— would simply extend that requirement, Well, the DOJ said there were 112,000
‘‘(i) at a shooting range or in a shooting with limited exceptions, to guns trans- denials in a year.
gallery or other area designated for the pur-
ferred by unlicensed individuals as Who were those 112,000 people?
pose of target shooting;
‘‘(ii) while reasonably necessary for the well. That simple change to close a Well, my colleagues on the other side
purposes of hunting, trapping, or fishing, if gaping loophole in the law is one of the of the aisle would have you think those
the transferor— most effective steps we can take to ad- were felons, they saved you from those
‘‘(I) has no reason to believe that the dress the scourge of gun violence in felons.
transferee intends to use the firearm in a this country. But how many of those 112,000 were
place where it is illegal; and According to one study, 22 percent of prosecuted for that crime of trying to
‘‘(II) has reason to believe that the trans- gun owners in the U.S. acquired their acquire that gun?
feree will comply with all licensing and per-
mit requirements for such hunting, trapping,
most recent firearm without a back- According to the DOJ, 12—1–2—12 in a
or fishing; or ground check. We do not know if they year.
‘‘(iii) while in the presence of the trans- were felons, fugitives, domestic abus- Who were the other 100,000?
feror. ers, or otherwise prohibited under the Imagine, just imagine now that you
‘‘(3) It shall be unlawful for a licensed im- law from possessing firearms. A huge are the victim of an abusive relation-
porter, licensed manufacturer, or licensed volume of guns was sold with no ques- ship and after 5 years you have sum-
dealer to transfer possession of, or title to, a
firearm to another person who is not so li-
tions asked. It is time to close this moned the courage and the resources
censed unless the importer, manufacturer, or dangerous loophole. to separate from that relationship, but
dealer has provided such other person with a There is no reason to continue to things have escalated and now you
notice of the prohibition under paragraph (1), make it easy for people who are legally have decided that it is time to acquire
and such other person has certified that such prohibited from possessing firearms to the means to protect you and your
other person has been provided with this no- acquire them. The evidence clearly children. So you go to the gun store
tice on a form prescribed by the Attorney shows that background checks work and you try to buy a gun. The clerk
General.’’.
(b) AMENDMENT TO SECTION 924(a).—Section and significantly curb gun violence. presses the computer button, and it
924(a)(5) of title 18, United States Code, is One study found that a Connecticut says ‘‘denied.’’
amended by striking ‘‘(s) or (t)’’ and insert- law requiring background checks was You ask the clerk, ‘‘Why was it de-
ing ‘‘(s), (t), or (aa)’’. associated with a 40 percent decline in nied?’’

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(c) RULES OF INTERPRETATION.—Nothing in gun homicides and a 15 percent drop in The clerk says, ‘‘I don’t know. This
this Act, or any amendment made by this suicides. On the other hand, when Mis- happens sometimes. Maybe you had a
Act, shall be construed to—
(1) authorize the establishment, directly or souri repealed its background check similar name to somebody else in the
indirectly, of a national firearms registry; or law, the State’s gun homicides in- database.’’
(2) interfere with the authority of a State, creased by 23 percent and suicides in- You can’t buy a gun today, tomor-
under section 927 of title 18, United States creased by 16 percent. row, next week. Not ever. You have

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H1288 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 10, 2021
been denied. So you go to a friend you I don’t think that is fair. vestigations and prosecutions. GAO reviewed
have known for a long time. Your And for the fact checkers who are al- laws and regulations; analyzed federal and
friend says, ‘‘I would like to help you.’’ ready hard at work on this speech, I in- state data from 2011 through 2017; and inter-
You say, ‘‘Well, I don’t know if I am clude in the RECORD this GAO report on viewed officials from ATF headquarters, 6 of
25 ATF field divisions (the 6 that inves-
going to make it through the night.’’ the DOJ statistics on background tigated the most cases), and the 13 states
Your friend says, ‘‘I would like to checks. that process all NICS checks within their
help you, but don’t you know H.R. 8 [From the United States Government state. Results from state interviews are not
passed and it was signed by the Presi- Accountability Office, Sept. 2018] generalizable but provide insights on state
dent. I can’t spend a year in a cage. Report to the Ranking Member, Sub- practices.
Good luck tonight.’’ committee on Commerce, Justice, Science,
WHAT GAO RECOMMENDS
Mr. Speaker, now, I am not going to and Related Agencies, Committee on Ap-
ask you to imagine what happens next propriations, House of Representatives GAO recommends that ATF assess the ex-
because the Democrats saw fit to put LAW ENFORCEMENT—FEW INDIVIDUALS DENIED tent to which ATF field divisions use warn-
into this bill a requirement that you FIREARMS PURCHASES ARE PROSECUTED AND ing notifications as an enforcement tool,
have an imminent threat of death. The ATF SHOULD ASSESS USE OF WARNING NO- which would inform whether changes to pol-
TICES IN LIEU OF PROSECUTIONS icy are needed. DOJ concurred with GAO’s
threat has to be right there upon you
WHY GAO DID THIS STUDY recommendation.
or great bodily harm.
What do they say? In 2017, approximately 25.6 million firearm- WHAT GAO FOUND
Well, if you are just expecting a few related background checks were processed
through NICS, and about 181,000 of the at- Investigations and prosecutions. Federal
bruises and maybe a punch, put some
tempted purchases at the federal and state and selected state law enforcement agencies
ice on it. that process firearm-related background
levels combined were denied because the in-
Mr. Speaker, I am going to ask my dividual was prohibited from possessing a checks through the National Instant Crimi-
colleagues here today and I am going firearm under federal or state law. Individ- nal Background Check System (NICS) collec-
to challenge the sponsors of this bill uals who certify that they are not prohibited tively investigate and prosecute a small per-
and those of them who might think from purchasing or receiving a firearm and centage of individuals who falsify informa-
they would vote for this bill to con- are subsequently determined to be prohib- tion on a firearms form (e.g., do not disclose
sider whether it is fair. ited could be subject to investigation, and if a felony conviction) and are denied a pur-
Is it fair to surround yourself with prosecuted, a fine, imprisonment, or both. chase. Federal NICS checks resulted in about
armed guards, with Capitol Hill Police GAO was asked to examine firearms deni- 112,000 denied transactions in fiscal year)
als. This report (1) describes the extent to 2017, of which the Bureau of Alcohol, To-
who have guns, with personal details,
which federal and selected state law enforce- bacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) re-
bodyguards, and ask the people to pay ment agencies investigate and prosecute ferred about 12,700 to its field divisions for
for it when you make it harder for firearms denial cases; (2) examines related further investigation. U.S. Attorney’s Offices
those same people to protect them- challenges faced by these agencies; and (3) (USAO) had prosecuted 12 of these cases as of
selves? describes the circumstances that lead to in- June 2018.
TABLE.—FEDERAL NATIONAL INSTANT CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK SYSTEM (NICS) FIREARMS DENIAL CASES INVESTIGATED AND PROSECUTED, FISCAL YEAR 2017
ATF Field Division United States Attorney’s
Federal NICS Transactions Denials Investigations Offices Prosecutions

8,606,286 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 112,090 12,710 12

At the state level, officials from 10 of 13 se- ficials from two of three selected states refer shootings in one year. But in 2020,
lected states said they did not investigate or all denial cases for investigation, while one there were only two mass shootings:
prosecute firearm denials, some citing com- state uses risk-based criteria for selecting one in February and another in early
peting resource demands and the lack of cases that include conditions such as felony
statutes with which states prosecute as rea- convictions and misdemeanor crimes of do- March.
sons. The remaining 3 states investigated a mestic violence. Prosecutors from these Of course, Mr. Speaker, those num-
high proportion of firearms denials. One of three states said they generally pursue cases bers don’t count the hundreds of shoot-
the 3 states reported about 1,900 referrals for that involve indications of violence, though ings each year in which there are fewer
prosecution in 2017 and about 470 convic- individual prosecutors had differing prior- than four victims, with tens of thou-
tions. ities based on public safety concerns.
Challenges. ATF and selected states re-
sands killed or maimed by gun violence
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 annually. The contrast in the number
ported challenges in investigating and pros-
ecuting firearms denials. Officials from six minute to the gentleman from Mary- of mass shootings from 2019 to 2020 is
selected ATF field divisions said that inves- land (Mr. HOYER), the distinguished stark.
tigating the increasing number of denial majority leader of the House. Mr. Speaker, I don’t have to explain
cases referred to field divisions—which in- Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, well, that
to my colleagues why mass shootings
creased from about 5,200 in fiscal year 2011 to is an interesting speech to follow. Mr.
about 12,700 in fiscal year 2017—has been suddenly came to a halt last year, but
MASSIE was very energized. I haven’t
time intensive and required use of their lim- it shouldn’t take a deadly viral pan-
seen, of course, that which he sub-
ited resources. ATF policy provides that demic—which took us out of group
mitted for the RECORD, but 90 percent
field divisions may send ‘‘warning notices’’ meetings, which took us off the streets,
to denied persons in lieu of prosecution, but of America thinks this bill makes
which kept us at home—to stop a dead-
ATF has not assessed field divisions’ use of sense, 90 percent. Take your own polls.
ly epidemic of gun violence.
these notices, which could provide greater Poll after poll after poll shows over-
awareness of their deterrence value and in- whelming support of this legislation With the arrival of vaccines and pas-
form whether any policy changes are needed. because it is common sense. It is com- sage of President Biden’s plan to help
Officials from the Executive Office for mon sense that you want to assure the make it safe to reopen businesses and
United States Attorneys said that pros- community that those who buy weap- schools, we will soon be gathering in
ecuting denial cases can require significant groups once more, but nobody wants to
ons that can be used with deadly force,
effort and may offer little value to public see a return to mass shootings, Mr.
safety compared to other cases involving gun as the gentleman just indicated, are
not a danger to themselves or to oth- Speaker. Nobody wants to see a return
violence. Selected state officials said that
denial investigations can take law enforce- ers. to deadly school shootings that ter-
ment officials away from their core duties. Mr. Speaker, according to the data- rorize America’s students.
State prosecutors said gathering evidence to base from the Associated Press, USA We shouldn’t need a pandemic to re-
prove individuals knew they were prohibited Today, and Northeastern University duce gun violence in this country. The

dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE
was a challenge. that tracks mass shootings, which they way to do that ought to be through
Types of cases. ATF field divisions inves- passing commonsense gun safety legis-
define as four or more victims, not in-
tigate denial cases based on USAO criteria
and generally only refer cases to USAOs for cluding the shooter, 2020 was a stand- lation through Congress to make it
prosecution when aggravating circumstances out year. After years of setting new harder for deadly firearms to get into
exist, such as violent felonies or multiple se- records for mass shootings, 2019 had the hands of those who cannot bear
rious offenses over a short period of time. Of- the highest number recorded, 33 mass them responsibly. That is what H.R. 8,

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March 10, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1289
the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, course. Sandy Hook; Charleston; Las The Special Order last night on H.R.
would do. Vegas; Orlando; Pittsburgh; Annapolis; 8 was another low point for decorum in
Nine out of 10 Americans support the San Bernardino; Washington Navy the House. To be generous, it was an
reforms in this bill. Now, I know I have Yard, just a few blocks from here; Oak embarrassing display and a complete
seen some people, Mr. Speaker, shake Creek; Tucson; Virginia Tech; and the misrepresentation of the facts.
their head, no, no, that is not the case. list could go on and on and on. Viewers were told that the bill would
Show me a poll that has less than 80 I say to the ladies and gentlemen of create a Federal gun registry. Wrong.
percent of Americans thinking that the House, let’s not add more names to Read page 5, line 18. H.R. 8 prohibits
terrorists should not be able to buy this register of grief. Let’s not rely on any registry.
guns, that felons should not be able to a pandemic to do what we ought to They were told you can’t give a gun
buy guns, that domestic abusers should have done so long ago. Let’s pass these to a family member. Wrong. Read page
not buy guns, particularly in an accel- bills and reduce gun violence the right 3, line 7. You can.
erated way. You get mad at a partner, way, with our votes. They were told that you can’t trans-
you get mad at a girlfriend, a boy- Is this a perfect bill? Will it establish fer a gun if someone was suicidal or
friend, whatever, go down to the store, or accomplish the absolute safety? needed it for protection to address a
boy, get a gun, bang. It will not, but what 90 percent of self-defense situation. Wrong. Read
It is one thing to have a thoughtful Americans say is that it is a step in the page 3, line 21. You can.
purchase: I want to have a hunting right direction. They were told that you can’t lend a
gun; I want to have a handgun for tar- Mr. Speaker, let us take that step. gun to a friend to go hunting. Wrong.
get practice; I want a handgun for safe- Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, no, it Read page 4, line 16. You can.
ty in my home, in my business, in my doesn’t. The previous speaker said What the bill does do is close the pri-
car. But if you are a person who has when this bill becomes law, it will stop vate gun sale loophole, which has made
shown that you are not somebody who some of the mass shootings—all of the it easy for felons and other prohibited
is a responsible person—sort of like mass shootings that happen in this purchasers to buy a gun online, at gun
driving a car, if you are not respon- country. No, it won’t. Nothing in this shows, or in person-to-person sales.
We know universal background
sible, you are a reckless driver and you bill would prohibit, would have stopped
checks work. Every day they stop some
have been guilty of manslaughter by any of those terrible things that took
160 felons and some 50 domestic abusers
automobile or something of that na- place.
from buying a gun. Every day.
ture—people have a right to know that What this bill does is stop law-abid- But without universal background
what you do is going to be not a danger ing citizens from exercising their Sec- checks, these people can take their
to them. ond Amendment liberties, just as the business elsewhere, to someone with-
This is one of the greatest examples gentleman from Kentucky mentioned a out a Federal firearms license and buy
of legislation that truly reflects the few minutes ago. the same gun.
will of the American people. That is Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the I have personally filled out the 4473
why I hope we can come together to gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. form required to buy a gun from a li-
pass it with bipartisan support. I don’t SPARTZ). censed dealer. I have done it many
know that that is going to be the case.
b 1430 times. It is something that every re-
But if it is not the case, it will not re- sponsible gun owner should be able to
flect the will of the American people Mrs. SPARTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in
opposition to H.R. 8. A major reason live with. Heck, they should welcome it
who would like to see this on a bipar- because it helps stop dangerous indi-
tisan basis. Republicans and Democrats our Founding Fathers drafted the Sec-
ond Amendment is to have a check and viduals from getting a gun.
polled support this legislation. In 90 percent of the cases, back-
Now, if somebody wants to show me a balance for the people against the tyr-
ground checks are completed within
poll that says, no, that is not the case, anny of government. It is the Second
minutes.
that is one thing, but I haven’t seen a Amendment for a reason, not the Ninth Mr. Speaker, I ask that these letters
poll that doesn’t reflect that. Just as I or the Tenth. You must have the Sec- that I have from dozens of gun violence
believe we ought to do this week with ond to protect the First. prevention groups, healthcare workers,
Representative CLYBURN’s bill as well, The first action by history’s dic-
law enforcement, and others be in-
which could close the loophole that tators—and we know all of them—was
cluded in the RECORD.
contributed to the reprehensible and to take guns from law-abiding citizens.
MARCH 5, 2021.
racially motivated mass shooting at We must remember that there is no law
Hon. CHUCK SCHUMER,
the Mother Emanuel AME Church in that stops criminals from getting guns Majority Leader, U.S. Senate,
Charleston, South Carolina, in 2015. and committing crimes. We would have Washington, DC.
Nine people in church slain by some- empty prisons otherwise. Hon. NANCY PELOSI,
body who got a gun; who, if the report As someone who grew up under a ty- Speaker, House of Representatives,
had come back in a timely fashion, rannical government, I value these Washington, DC.
wouldn’t have been able to get that rights tremendously, and I encourage Hon. MITCH MCCONNELL,
my colleagues to be vigilant and pro- Minority Leader, U.S. Senate,
gun.
Washington, DC.
I hope that Senate Republicans will tect these rights for all law-abiding
Hon. KEVIN MCCARTHY,
not filibuster this bill. At some point citizens. Republican Leader, House of Representatives,
in time the majority ought to rule. I urge my colleagues to oppose this Washington, DC.
Now, the Second Amendment cor- bill. DEAR MAJORITY LEADER SCHUMER, LEADER
rectly protects gun ownership. I don’t Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 MCCONNELL, SPEAKER PELOSI, AND LEADER
have an argument with that. But the minutes to the distinguished gen- MCCARTHY: We write to you in support of
Supreme Court itself said that there tleman from California (Mr. THOMP- H.R. 8/S. 529 the Bipartisan Background
SON), the sponsor of this bill.
Checks Act and H.R. 1446/S. 591 the Enhanced
could be responsible restraints and
Background Checks Act. As gun owners, we
items for protection consistent with Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. understand that responsible gun ownership
that amendment. That is what this bill Speaker, every day 30 people are killed starts with background check. Loopholes in
does. by someone using a gun. That number federal law have perpetuated the gun vio-
I hope our friends will listen to the jumps to 100 if you factor in accidents lence crisis in our country, including those
voices of parents, children, siblings, and suicides involving guns. The steady in our background checks system. Congress
spouses, neighbors, and friends of those stream of gun violence devastates fam- must enact meaningful legislation to reduce

dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE
who were killed by gun violence in re- ilies, communities, and schools. gun violence. The Bipartisan Background
cent years; and I hope they will re- Gun violence costs our country $280 Checks Act would close one such loophole by
ensuring that a background check happens
member the names that bring tears to billion every year. This status quo is on every firearms sale.
many eyes and pain in so many hearts. not okay. Since 1993, the National Instant Criminal
Parkland. Some believe Parkland Our constituents know it, and they Background Check System (NICS) has con-
didn’t happen. They are wrong, of support H.R. 8 overwhelmingly. ducted firearm background checks on gun

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H1290 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 10, 2021
purchasers. Federally licensed dealers must Act would require a background check on H.R. 8 / S. 529 the Bipartisan Background
run a check through NICS to determine every sale, ensuring that people prohibited Checks Act / Background Check Expansion
whether a potential buyer is prohibited from from purchasing firearms cannot exploit Act would require a background check on
purchasing firearms. If information in NICS loopholes and purchase guns through an un- every sale, ensuring that people prohibited
shows that a person is indeed prohibited, the regulated sale at a gun show, on line, or from from purchasing firearms cannot exploit
dealer must deny the sale. an unlicensed seller. In addition, individuals loopholes and purchase guns through an un-
However, no background check is required would no longer be able to cross state lines regulated sale at a gun show, online, or from
for sales at gun shows, through online mar- solely to purchase a firearm in a state with an unlicensed seller. In addition, individuals
ketplaces, or between private individuals. In- less stringent background checks. Closing would no longer be able to cross state lines
dividuals who would otherwise be prohibited these background check loopholes is critical solely to purchase a firearm in a state with
from purchasing or possessing a gun can eas- to reducing gun violence throughout the less stringent background checks. Closing
ily buy guns through such unregulated sales. United States. these background check loopholes is critical
And the frequency of these unregulated sales Additionally, H.R. 1446 / S. 591 the En- to reducing gun violence throughout the
is growing: recent studies indicate that ap- hanced Background Checks Act / Background United States.
proximately 22 percent of firearms are pur- Check Completion Act would provide the FBI Additionally, H.R. 1446 / S. S. 591 the En-
chased without a background check, up to more time to complete background checks hanced Background Checks Act / Background
80% of firearms used in crimes are obtained and ensure that people prohibited from pos- Check Completion Act would provide the FBI
without a background check. sessing firearms are not able to obtain them more time to complete background checks
H.R. 8/S.B. 529 the Bipartisan Background by default because of an incomplete back- and ensure that people prohibited from pos-
Checks Act/Background Check Expansion ground check. This deadly loophole in exist- sessing firearms are not able to obtain them
Act would require a background check on by default because of an incomplete back-
ing law was exploited by a white supremacist
every sale, ensuring that people prohibited ground check. This deadly loophole in exist-
who killed nine people at the Mother Eman-
from purchasing firearms cannot exploit ing law was exploited by a white supremacist
uel AME Church in Charleston, South Caro-
loopholes and purchase guns through an un- who killed nine people at the Mother Eman-
lina.
regulated sale at a gun show, online, or from Oregon adopted universal background uel AME Church in Charleston, South Caro-
an unlicensed private seller. In addition, in- checks in 2015 which we strongly supported. lina.
dividuals would no longer be able to cross We know that in many of our states we
However, our citizens are still vulnerable to
state lines solely to purchase a firearm in a have not been able to pass any form of gun
the importation of firearms from states with
state with less stringent background checks. Violence Prevention Bills. If passed these
less stringent laws. We need federal legisla-
Closing these background check loopholes is Bills would bring immediate relief to all
tion that will apply to all.
critical to reducing gun violence throughout Americans from most forms of gun Violence.
We urge you to pass H.R. 8 / S. 529 the Bi-
the United States. We urge you to pass H.R. 8 / S. 529 the Bi-
partisan Background Checks Act / Back- partisan Background Checks Act / Back-
Additionally, H.R. 1446/S. 591 the Enhanced
ground Check Expansion Act and H.R.1446 / ground Check Expansion Act and H.R. 1446 /
Background Checks Act/Background Check
S. 591 the Enhanced Background Checks Act S. 591 the Enhanced Background Checks Act
Completion Act would provide the FBI more
/ Background Check Completion Act, as soon / Background Check Completion Act, as soon
time to complete background checks and en-
as possible. as possible.
sure that people prohibited from possessing
Sincerely, Sincerely,
firearms are not able to obtain them by de-
PAUL KEMP, CLAI LASHER-SOMMERS,
fault because of an incomplete background
President. Executive Director,
check. This deadly loophole in existing law
was exploited by a white supremacist who States United to Prevent Gun Violence.
STATES UNITED TO
killed nine people at the Mother Emanuel
PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE, MAJOR CITIES CHIEFS ASSOCIATION,
AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
As responsible gun owners, we urge you to March 5, 2021. March 5, 2021.
consider this legislation which would help Hon. CHUCK SCHUMER, Hon. CHUCK SCHUMER,
keep our communities safe. Our support for Majority Leader, U.S. Senate, Majority Leader, U.S. Senate,
universal background checks stems from our Washington, DC. Washington, DC.
desire to protect the Second Amendment Hon. NANCY PELOSI, Hon. NANCY PELOSI,
rights of law abiding citizens while main- Speaker, House of Representatives, Speaker, House of Representatives,
taining checks and balances to keep commu- Washington, DC. Washington, DC.
nities safe. Hon. MITCH MCCONNELL, Hon. MITCH MCCONNELL,
We urge you to pass H.R. 8/S. 529 the Bipar- Minority Leader, U.S. Senate, Minority Leader, U.S. Senate,
tisan Background Checks Act/Background Washington, DC. Washington, DC.
Check Expansion Act and H.R. 1446/S. 591 the Hon. KEVIN MCCARTHY, Hon. KEVIN MCCARTHY,
Enhanced Background Checks Act/Back- Republican Leader, Republican Leader, House of Representatives,
ground Check Completion Act, as soon as House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Washington, DC.
possible. DEAR MAJORITY LEADER SCHUMER, LEADER DEAR MAJORITY LEADER SCHUMER, MINOR-
Sincerely, MCCONNELL, SPEAKER PELOSI, AND LEADER ITY LEADER MCCONNELL, SPEAKER PELOSI,
GIFFORDS GUN OWNERS FOR SAFETY. MCCARTHY: States United to Prevent Gun Vi- and REPUBLICAN LEADER MCCARTHY: I’m
olence is a group of 32 state affiliates across writing on behalf of the Major Cities Chiefs
GUN OWNERS FOR the United States that work on Gun Violence Association (MCCA), a professional organiza-
RESPONSIBLE OWNERSHIP, Prevention. We come from all areas of this tion of police executives representing the
Lake Grove, OR, March 5, 2021. country. Urban, rural, and, suburban. We be- largest cities in the United States and Can-
Hon. CHUCK SCHUMER, lieve that gun violence is a public health ada. The MCCA strongly supports H.R. 8/S.B.
Majority Leader, problem, and, that the legislation proposed 529, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act
U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. will prevent many communities from suf- of 2021/Background Check Expansion Act.
Hon. NANCY PELOSI, fering the trauma of gun violence. The Association has been a strong advocate
Speaker, House of Representatives, Since 1993, the National Instant Criminal for sensible gun policy for many years. Insti-
Washington, DC. Background Check System (NICS) has con- tuting universal background checks is a core
Hon. MITCH MCCONNELL, ducted firearm background checks on gun tenant of the MCCA’s Firearms Violence Pol-
Minority Leader, purchasers. Federally licensed dealers must icy, which our membership approved in 2018.
U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. run a check through NICS to determine Since 1993, the National Instant Criminal
Hon. KEVIN MCCARTHY, whether a potential buyer is prohibited from Background Check System (NICS) has con-
Republican Leader, purchasing firearms. If information in NICS ducted firearm background checks on gun
House of Representatives, Washington, DC. shows that a person is indeed prohibited, the purchasers. Federally licensed dealers must
DEAR MAJORITY LEADER SCHUMER, LEADER dealer must deny the sale. run a check through NICS to determine
MCCONNELL, SPEAKER PELOSI, AND LEADER However, there is a loophole in federal law whether a potential buyer is prohibited from
MCCARTHY: We are gun owners, outdoors en- and no background check is required for purchasing firearms. If information in NICS
thusiasts, and veterans who seek reasonable sales at gun shows, through online market- shows that a person is indeed prohibited, the
and responsible solutions to preventing gun places, or between private individuals. Indi- dealer must deny the sale. However, there is
violence. We believe our Second Amendment viduals who would otherwise be prohibited a loophole in federal law, and no background
rights come with responsibilities. We also from purchasing or possessing a gun can eas- check is required for sales at gun shows,

dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE
believe in common-sense efforts to reduce ily buy guns through such unregulated sales. through online marketplaces, or between pri-
gun violence and promote gun safety across And the frequency of these unregulated sales vate individuals. Individuals who would oth-
the country, including universal background is concerning: recent studies indicate that erwise be prohibited from purchasing or pos-
checks and safe and secure storage of fire- approximately 22 percent of firearms are pur- sessing a gun can easily buy guns through
arms. chased without a background check, and up such unregulated sales.
H.R. 8 / S. 529 the Bipartisan Background to 80% of firearms used in crimes are ob- H.R. 8/S.B. 529 would require a background
Checks Act / Background Check Expansion tained without a background check. check on every sale, ensuring that people

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March 10, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1291
prohibited from purchasing firearms cannot lence for what it really is: a deadly epidemic short-term gun loans among hunters and
exploit loopholes and purchase guns through resulting in substantial morbidity and mor- sport shooters. The legislation does nothing
an unregulated sale at a gun show, online, or tality for our patients. to impede lawful gun purchases, while clos-
from an unlicensed seller. In addition, indi- Since 1993, the National Instant Criminal ing off a wide and well-known avenue for il-
viduals would no longer be able to cross Background Check System (NICS) has con- legal transactions by prohibited, and often
state lines solely to purchase a firearm in a ducted firearm background checks on gun dangerous, buyers. It is past time to expand
state with less stringent background checks. purchasers. Federally licensed dealers must lifesaving background checks to every gun
Closing these background check loopholes is run a check through NICS to determine sale, and the public agrees: more than 90 per-
critical to reducing gun violence throughout whether a potential buyer is prohibited from cent of Americans, including large majori-
the United States. purchasing firearms. If information in NICS ties of gun owners, support universal back-
Many MCCA members are experiencing a shows that a person is indeed prohibited, the ground checks.
significant uptick in gun violence in their dealer must deny the sale. Likewise, it has been over five years since
cities. The MCCA’s most recent Violent However, no background check is required a prohibited person massacred nine parish-
Crime Survey, which showed a nationwide for sales at gun shows, through online mar- ioners at the Emanuel AME Church in
rise in both homicides and aggravated as- ketplaces, or between private individuals. In- Charleston, South Carolina, with a gun pur-
saults in 2020, supports these reports. Ensur- dividuals who would otherwise be prohibited chased at a licensed firearms dealer and it is
ing background checks for all gun sales and from purchasing or possessing a gun can eas- far past time for Congress to take action to
transfers will save lives by helping keep fire- ily buy guns through such unregulated sales. fix this gap in law.
arms out of the hands of those who are not And the frequency of these unregulated sales Under current law, a licensed dealer may
permitted to have them under the law. It is concerning: recent studies indicate that transfer a gun to a buyer after three business
will also be a critical step in combatting the approximately 22 percent of firearms are pur- days even if the background check has yet to
epidemic of gun violence currently plaguing chased without a background check, up to determine whether that buyer is legally eli-
our country. 80% of firearms used in crimes are obtained gible to purchase a gun, now known com-
Gun violence is more than just a public without a background check. monly as the ‘‘Charleston Loophole.’’ Ac-
safety issue; it’s an officer safety issue as H.R. 8/S. 529 the Bipartisan Background cording to FBI data, thousands of guns are
well. MCCA members, and law enforcement Checks Act/Background Check Expansion sold each year through this loophole to indi-
agencies all across the country, have had far Act would require a background check on viduals who are prohibited from possessing
too many officers killed or wounded in the every sale, ensuring that people prohibited firearms—over 43,000 since 2008. In the last
line of duty by individuals who should have from purchasing firearms cannot exploit decade an average of 10 prohibited individ-
been prohibited from purchasing a firearm. loopholes and purchase guns through an un- uals have been able to purchase guns at li-
We must enact policies at the national level regulated sale at a gun show, online, or from censed firearms dealers through the Charles-
to help ensure these brave men and women an unlicensed seller. In addition, individuals ton Loophole every single day.
return home safely after their shifts. would no longer be able to cross state lines H.R. 1446 will prevent the sale of firearms
The MCCA urges Congress to pass H.R. 8/ solely to purchase a firearm in a state with to prohibited individuals by providing the
S.B. 529, the Bipartisan Background Checks less stringent background checks. FBI with additional time to complete back-
Act of 2021 /Background Check Expansion Too often, our patients and our commu- ground checks—allowing the system to bet-
Act, as soon as possible. Please do not hesi- nities bear witness to the terrible tragedies ter focus its resources and efforts, and pro-
tate to contact me if the MCCA can be of any that occur when people use guns to harm vide accurate dispositions to federally li-
assistance. themselves or others. Gun violence is a com- censed firearms dealers. This legislation will
Sincerely, plex public health issue that will require a have a tremendous impact on public safety
CHIEF ART ACEVEDO, comprehensive solution; enacting universal while ensuring that lawful gun owners are
Chief, Houston Police Department, background checks is an important first not subject to indefinite bureaucratic delay.
President, Major Cities Chiefs Association. step. Our support for universal background We urge you to act quickly to pass these
checks comes from our desire to save lives life-saving pieces of legislation.
MARCH 3, 2021. and protect our patients. Sincerely,
Hon. CHUCK SCHUMER, We urge you to pass H.R. 8/S. 529 the Bipar- American Federation of Teachers (AFT),
Majority Leader, U.S. Senate, tisan Background Checks Act/Background American Medical Student Association
Washington, DC. Check Expansion Act, as soon as possible. (AMSA), American Public Health Associa-
Hon. NANCY PELOSI, Sincerely, tion (APHA), Amnesty International,
Speaker, House of Representatives, THERESA ROHR-KIRCHGRABER, MD, Bishops United Against Gun Violence,
Washington, DC. FACP, FAMWA, Brady, Children’s Defense Fund (CDF), Docs
Hon. MITCH MCCONNELL, Chair, Advocacy Committee AMWA. Demand Action, Doctors for America (DFA),
Minority Leader, U.S. Senate, End Citizens United (ECU), Friends Com-
Washington, DC. MEMBERS OF THE 117TH CONGRESS: We, the mittee on National Legislation (FCNL),
Hon. KEVIN MCCARTHY, undersigned organizations, strongly urge you Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA),
Republican Leader, House of Representatives, to cosponsor and quickly pass H.R. 8, the Bi- MomsRising.
Washington, DC. partisan Background Check Act, and S. 529, National Association of Social Workers
DEAR MAJORITY LEADER SCHUMER, LEADER the Background Check Expansion Act, to ex- (NASW), National Education Association
MCCONNELL, SPEAKER PELOSI, AND LEADER pand Brady Background Checks to cover all (NEA), National Network of Public Health
MCCARTHY: We write to you in support of firearm transactions, as well as H.R. 1446, Institutes (NNPHI), National Organization of
H.R. 8/S. 529 the Bipartisan Background the Enhanced Background Checks Act of Black Law, Enforcement Executives
Checks Act. As physicians, we believe that 2021, to close a dangerous gap in law that al- (NOBLE), National PTA, Physicians for So-
gun violence and its associated traumas are lows thousands of prohibited individuals to cial Responsibility (PSR), Public Citizen,
a public health crisis, and that Congress purchase firearms every year. Team Enough, The King Center, This Is Our
must enact meaningful legislation to help Since the Brady Law was enacted in 1994, Lane, Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), U.S.
reduce gun violence in our communities. In more than 3.5 million prohibited firearm Conference of Mayors, VoteVets.
2019, 39,707 people died from gun violence. transactions have been prevented. In 2015
Tragically, the pandemic and resulting eco- alone, an average of 619 individuals per day NATIONAL POLICE FOUNDATION,
nomic fallout may further exacerbate this were deemed by law to be too dangerous to March 5, 2021.
public health crisis. Experts have suggested possess a firearm and were blocked by the Hon. CHUCK SCHUMER,
that the pandemic may drive increases in system. Majority Leader, U.S. Senate,
suicides, domestic violence, and community Background checks are conclusively effec- Washington, DC.
violence in the coming years. Several loop- tive and have saved countless lives. However, Hon. NANCY PELOSI,
holes in federal law—and the background because only federally licensed firearms Speaker, House of Representatives,
check system in particular—are not suffi- dealers are required to conduct these checks, Washington, DC.
cient to prevent individuals who are ineli- an estimated one in five gun sales or trans- Hon. MITCH MCCONNELL,
gible to own a firearm from purchasing one. fers—those conducted by private sellers, in- Minority Leader. U.S. Senate,
The Bipartisan Background Checks Act cluding sales online and at gun shows—are Washington, DC.
would enact universal background checks, completed without a background check. Hon. KEVIN MCCARTHY,
closing these dangerous loopholes by ensur- Without background checks it is almost im- Republican Leader, House of Representatives,
ing that a background check happens on possible to keep guns out of the hands of pro- Washington, DC.

dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE
every firearms sale. hibited individuals or to hold illegal gun DEAR MAJORITY LEADER MCCONNELL, LEAD-
The American Medical Women’s Associa- dealers accountable. ER SCHUMER, SPEAKER PELOSI, AND LEADER
tion has been the voice and vision of women H.R. 8 and S. 529 will make us all safer by MCCARTHY: The National Police Foundation
in medicine since 1915. Time and time again, requiring a background check for virtually is an independent and nonpartisan 501(c)(3)
AMWA, as an organization, stands to de- every firearm sale and transfer. The bills in- organization dedicated to advancing Amer-
crease the burden of gun related fatalities clude narrow, reasonable exceptions like ican policing through science and innova-
and violence. AMWA acknowledges gun vio- transfers among close family members and tion. For many years, the Foundation has

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H1292 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 10, 2021
advocated strongly for and continues to sup- sales (3,477 firearm sales) through unlicensed MCCARTHY: On behalf of the American Psy-
port common sense responses to America’s sellers due to indicators on background chological Association (APA), I write to ex-
gun violence problem. Addressing and checks that suggest the guns would poten- press our support of H.R. 8/S. 529 the Bipar-
strengthening our system of background tially be misused, showing that UBC laws tisan Background Checks Act of 2021. This
checks is long overdue and it is my belief have the empirical ability to keep guns from important legislation would address our na-
that H.R. 8/S.B. 529 can address these issues individuals who might misuse them. tion’s gun violence public health crisis by
and is worthy of full consideration. Since 1993, the National Instant Criminal closing pre-existing loopholes that allow for
Since 1993, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) has con- unlicensed gun sellers to avoid comprehen-
Background Check System (NICS) has con- ducted firearm background checks on gun sive background checks on firearms sales.
ducted firearm background checks on gun purchasers. Federally licensed dealers must APA is the largest scientific and profes-
purchasers. Federally licensed dealers must run a check through NICS to determine sional organization representing psychology
run a check through NICS to determine whether a potential buyer is prohibited from in the United States with nearly 122,000 re-
whether a potential buyer is prohibited from purchasing firearms. If information in NICS searchers, educators, clinicians, consultants,
purchasing firearms. If information in NICS shows that a person is indeed prohibited, the and students. Our mission is to advance the
shows that a person is indeed prohibited, the dealer must deny the sale.
creation, communication, and application of
dealer must deny the sale. However, there is a loophole in federal law
and no background check is required for psychological knowledge to benefit society
However, there is a loophole in federal law and improve people’s lives. APA advocates
and no background check is required for sales at gun shows, through online market-
places, or between private individuals. Indi- for a public health approach to gun violence
sales at gun shows, through online market-
viduals who would otherwise be prohibited prevention, supporting evidence-based pro-
places, or between private individuals. Indi-
from purchasing or possessing a gun can eas- grams and policies that can reduce the oc-
viduals who would otherwise be prohibited
ily buy guns through such unregulated sales. currence and impact of firearm-related vio-
from purchasing or possessing a gun can eas-
And the frequency of these unregulated sales lence in the United States.
ily buy guns through such unregulated sales.
is concerning: recent studies indicate that Research demonstrates almost 80% of all
And the frequency of these unregulated sales
approximately 22 percent of firearms are pur- firearms acquired for criminal purposes are
is concerning: recent studies indicate that
chased without a background check, and up obtained through transfers from unlicensed
approximately 22 percent of firearms are pur-
to 80% of firearms used in crimes are ob- sellers and 96% of persons incarcerated for
chased without a background check, and up
tained without a background check. gun offenses who were already prohibited
to 80 of firearms used in crimes are obtained
H.R. 8/S. 529 the Bipartisan Background from possessing a firearm at the time of the
without a background check.
H.R. 8/S.B. 529 the Bipartisan Background Checks Act/Background Check Expansion offense obtained their firearm from an unli-
Checks Act/Background Check Expansion Act would require a background check on censed seller. Moreover, states that only re-
Act would require a background check on every sale, ensuring that people prohibited quire background checks on sales through
every sale, ensuring that people prohibited from purchasing firearms cannot exploit federally licensed firearms dealers showed
from purchasing firearms cannot exploit loopholes and purchase guns through an un- higher rates of adolescents who carry guns
loopholes and purchase guns through an un- regulated sale at a gun show, online, or from than states that require universal back-
regulated sale at a gun show, online, or from an unlicensed seller. In addition, individuals ground checks on all prospective gun buyers.
an unlicensed seller. In addition, individuals would no longer be able to cross state lines Thank you for your work to prevent gun
would no longer be able to cross state lines solely to purchase a firearm in a state with violence tragedies.
less stringent background checks. Closing Sincerely,
solely to purchase a firearm in a state with
these background check loopholes is critical BRIAN D. SMEDLEY, PH.D.,
less stringent background checks. Closing
to reducing gun violence throughout the Chief of Psychology in the Public Interest,
these background check loopholes is critical
United States. American Psychological Association.
to reducing gun violence throughout the Additionally, H.R. 1446/S. 529 the Enhanced
United States. Background Checks Act/ Background Check
The women and men serving on America’s AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS,
Completion Act would provide the FBI more March 4, 2021.
front lines deserve the support that these
time to complete background checks and en- Hon. MICHAEL THOMPSON,
bills will provide. Beyond data and research,
sure that people prohibited from possessing House of Representatives,
common sense tells us that the solutions of-
firearms are not able to obtain them by de- Washington, DC.
fered in H.R. 8/S.B. 529 are needed and will
fault because of an incomplete background DEAR REP. THOMPSON: On behalf of the
make a difference. We urge you to pass H.R. check. This deadly loophole in existing law
8/S.B. 529 the Bipartisan Background Checks American College of Physicians (ACP), I am
was exploited by a white supremacist who writing to offer our strong support for the
Act /Background Check Expansion Act, as killed nine people at the Mother Emanuel
soon as possible. Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021
AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. (H.R. 8), legislation introduced in the 117th
Sincerely, H.R. 8 will save lives through increased
JAMES H. BURCH, II, Congress to expand and enhance the Na-
background checks for unlicensed sales in
President. tional Instant Criminal Background Check
the United States. Our organization’s first-
System (NICS). We applaud your continued
hand experience with gun violence in our
MARCH 4, 2021. efforts to reduce firearms-related violence
youths brings a grave brevity to our support
Hon. CHUCK SCHUMER, of H.R. 8. March For Our Lives was forged to through common sense legislation. As an or-
Majority Leader, U.S. Senate, call for action against the violence that has ganization representing physicians who have
Washington, DC. plagued our nation. We call on you now to first-hand experience with the devastating
Hon. NANCY PELOSI, pass these bills to protect millions of student impact on the health of their patients result-
Speaker, House of Representatives, lives across the United States. ing from firearms-related injuries and
Washington, DC. We urge you to pass H.R. 8/S. 529 the Bipar- deaths, we have a responsibility to be part of
Hon. MITCH MCCONNELL, tisan Background Checks Act/Background the solution in trying to mitigate firearms-
Minority Leader, U.S. Senate, Check Expansion Act and H.R. 1446/S. 529 the related tragedies. We stand ready to work
Washington, DC. Enhanced Background Checks Act/Back- with you to advance this important legisla-
Hon. KEVIN MCCARTHY, ground Check Completion Act, as soon as tion.
Republican Leader, House of Representatives, possible. The American College of Physicians is the
Washington, DC. Sincerely, largest medical specialty organization and
DEAR MAJORITY LEADER SCHUMER, LEADER MARCH FOR OUR LIVES COLORADO. the second-largest physician membership so-
MCCONNELL, SPEAKER PELOSI, AND LEADER ciety in the United States. ACP members in-
MCCARTHY: March for Our Lives Colorado AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL clude 163,000 internal medicine physicians
(MFOL CO) has been pushing for common- ASSOCIATION SERVICES, INC., (internists), related subspecialists, and med-
sense gun laws for our state since 2019. March 8, 2021. ical students. Internal medicine physicians
MFOL CO’s mission is to prevent gun vio- Hon. CHUCK SCHUMER, are specialists who apply scientific knowl-
lence in Colorado by engaging youth in the Majority Leader, U.S. Senate, edge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis,
legislative process to further safety meas- Washington, DC. treatment, and compassionate care of adults
ures to protect ourselves and our fellow Hon. NANCY PELOSI, across the spectrum from health to complex
classmates. As such, we strongly endorse Speaker, House of Representatives, illness.
H.R. 8 for its potential to prevent gun-re- Washington, DC. We remain alarmed by the tragic toll of
lated violence. In 2013, Colorado passed Hon. MITCH MCCONNELL, firearms violence in our neighborhoods,

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House Bill 13–1229, resulting in the passage of Minority Leader, U.S. Senate, homes, workplaces, and public spaces.
universal background checks for firearm Washington, DC. Deaths and injuries from firearms are not
sales through unlicensed sellers in response Hon. KEVIN MCCARTHY, just a result of mass shootings, they are a
to devastating events of gun violence in both Republican Leader, House of Representatives, daily occurrence; in 2019, 39,707 Americans
Colorado and across the nation. According to Washington, DC. lost their lives to firearms, according to the
the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, 2019 DEAR MAJORITY LEADER SCHUMER, LEADER Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
alone resulted in the rejection of 2.11% of MCCONNELL, SPEAKER PELOSI, AND LEADER This issue represents an urgent public health

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March 10, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1293
crisis and now is the time to act, on a bipar- abiding citizens to lose more of their Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R.
tisan basis, on measures to improve the safe- Second Amendment rights. 8, the ‘‘Bipartisan Background Checks Act of
ty of all Americans. We shouldn’t be focused here in Con- 2021’’ and H.R. 1446, the ‘‘Enhanced Back-
The Bipartisan Background Checks Act
would strengthen the accuracy and reporting
gress in taking those rights away. We ground Check Act of 2021,’’ which would
of the National Instant Criminal Background actually should be strengthening the make it illegal for any person who is not a li-
Check System (NICS) as well as expand enforcement of laws we already have to censed firearm importer, manufacturer, or
Brady background checks to cover all fire- make our communities safer. dealer to transfer a firearm to any other per-
arm sales, including unlicensed firearms sell- I stand with the Constitution and son who is not so licensed without a back-
ers currently not required to use background urge my colleagues to vote against ground check.
checks. Examples of gun sales not requiring H.R. 8. A 2013 study found that approximately 80
background checks through NICS include Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, the fact percent of all firearms acquired for criminal
those at gun shows, through the internet,
is that 160 families every day buy guns. purposes were obtained from sources who
and between private individuals or classified
ads. With some exceptions, the legislation All this bill does is to say that people were not required to run a background check,
would expand background checks to cover all who obtain guns from unlicensed deal- and that 96 percent of inmates who were not
private and commercial firearm transfers ers, as well as licensed dealers, must be prohibited from possessing a firearm at the
and sales. In addition, because gun sellers subject to the background check, and time they committed their crime obtained their
would now be required to perform back- that will save a heck of a lot of lives. gun this way.
ground checks for all sales and transfers, gun Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the This loophole exists largely because unli-
purchasers would no longer be able to cross distinguished gentlewoman from Texas censed sellers need not conduct any back-
state lines to buy firearms in a state with (Ms. JACKSON LEE). ground check under current law, even if the
less rigorous background check laws.
In conclusion, for more than 20 years, we Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I seller sells a large number of guns.
ACP has urged the adoption of policies to re- thank the gentleman for yielding. Under H.R. 8, the ‘‘Bipartisan Background
duce deaths and injuries related to firearms You know, our friends on the other Checks Act of 2021,’’ individuals seeking to
violence. A brief summary of ACP’s updated side of the aisle are deadly wrong. That transfer a firearm under this measure would
position paper on this issue can be found is the tragedy of their argument, be- be required to visit a licensed firearms dealer
here. We remain committed to this endeavor cause the Second Amendment does not to run the necessary background check before
and we call on Congress to pass H.R. 8 as a prohibit regulation. It never did. And the transfer could be finalized.
necessary first step in addressing the public our Founding Fathers regulated guns H.R. 8 is intended to provide an accurate
health crisis created by firearms violence.
Sincerely,
as early as the beginning of this Na- and speedy manner to ensure firearms do not
JACQUELINE W. FINCHER, MD, MACP, tion. end up in the wrong hands.
President. And so I rise in support of H.R. 8, and An internal assessment by the Federal Bu-
Mr. THOMPSON of California. On indicate while the COVID–19 pandemic reau of Investigation (FBI) demonstrated that
this bill we have coauthors who are dominated news headlines in 2020, the NICS background checks are approximately
Democrats and Republicans, cops, number of shootings surged in many 99.3 percent to 99.8 percent accurate, and in
hunters, gun owners, district attor- communities across America. 90 percent of cases, are processed within 90
neys, a former FBI agent, and veterans, Our public health and emergency re- seconds.
who have served in combat and put sources have been straining to recover I am particularly pleased that the rule re-
their lives on the line to protect our from the coronavirus, and budgets are ported by Rules Committee makes in order
Second Amendment. crunched nationwide, and, as well, gun Jackson Lee Amendment No. 12 to H.R. 8,
There is bipartisan support for uni- violence is rising. It is important to which makes clear that a gun owner who real-
versal background checks in Congress note because approximately 80 percent izes that he or she is at risk of suicide may
and near universal support for back- of firearms used for criminal purposes transfer the gun to someone else, if the risk is
ground checks from the American peo- are obtained without a background imminent, without a background check to pre-
ple. check. vent self-harm.
I urge my colleagues to vote ‘‘yes’’ We must strengthen our firearms The Jackson Lee Amendment will help en-
on H.R. 8. background checks and close dangerous sure that no person who is experiencing a sui-
Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 gaps, such as the online sale and gun cidal crisis will feel compelled to retain their
minutes to the gentleman from Geor- show loopholes. gun when it would be better for them to tem-
gia (Mr. HICE). In the data that we were able to se- porarily transfer it to someone else.
Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I cure, there was nearly one mass shoot- Mr. Speaker, the American people are de-
thank my good friend from Ohio for ing per day in the United States: 355 manding effective action to reduce, if not pre-
yielding. mass shootings in 2018. We realize that vent altogether, the countless mass shootings
Look, bottom line is, we all know since December 2012 there have been at and gun violence in our country that continue
that by definition criminals don’t abide least 1,518 mass shootings with at least to claim so many innocent lives.
by the law. And that applies also when 1,715 people killed. Newly released data from the Centers for
they are purchasing firearms. Nothing Each day an average of 92 Americans Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention found
in this bill prohibits this type of indi- are victims of gun violence, resulting firearm-related deaths rose for the second-
vidual from obtaining firearms. in more than 33,000 deaths. And I won- straight year in 2016, largely due to spikes in
In fact, the majority of individuals in der why our friends could not feel the gun violence.
prison for committing crimes with fire- pain of the loss of guns being trans- In 2016, the new CDC report on preliminary
arms obtain their firearms through ferred illegally or improperly? mortality data shows that there were more
theft, the underground market, family I was here for Columbine. That hap- than 38,000 gun-related deaths in the U.S.—
members, and the like. pened on April 20, 1999. High school stu- 4,000 more than 2015.
But what this bill does is threaten dents losing their lives. I was here An Associated Press analysis of FBI data
everyday American citizens with up to when babies were killed in Newtown, shows there were about 11,000 gun-related
a year in prison and a $100,000 fine for Connecticut, on December 12, 2012. I homicides in 2016, up from 9,600 in 2015.
exercising their Second Amendment was here in the United States Congress Congress must act to keep our country safe
right in doing common practices. each moment we tried to pass sensible through gun safety and violence deterrence.
To say that this does not create a na- gun legislation like H.R. 8. There is nearly one mass shooting per day
tional gun registry, you cannot accom- Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman in the United States—355 mass shootings in
plish what is in this bill without a gun THOMPSON for his leadership and Chair- 2018.
registry. man NADLER. In December 2012, a gunman walked into

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The reality is universal background On February 14, 2018 I was here for Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown,
checks do not stop mass shootings. We Parkland and looked at these photo- Connecticut, and killed 20 children, 6 adults,
do not have mass shootings because of graphs. And as well I was here on May and himself.
lack of background checks. This bill 18 when in San Jose, Texas, people Since December 2012, there have been at
will not make our communities safer. died. It is time to pass H.R. 8. Stop see- least 1,518 mass shootings, with at least
In fact, what it will do is cause law- ing our children die. 1,715 people killed and 6,089 wounded.

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H1294 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 10, 2021
On the night of October 1, 2017, a gunman In this last week I received over 1,000 This bill says we don’t have to live
opened fire on a large crowd of concertgoers emails from constituents in strong op- that way anymore. The right to come
at the Route 91 Harvest music festival on the position to these antigun bills. Here is home alive is greater than any right
Las Vegas Strip, leaving 58 people dead and a sample: that is being put forward by the other
527 injured. ‘‘H.R. 8 will make it impossible to side.
And on November 5, 2017, a mass shooting sell or loan guns to my relatives and Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 11⁄2
occurred at the First Baptist Church in Suther- trusted friends.’’ minutes to the gentleman from Texas
land Springs, Texas, where the gunman, 26- ‘‘These bills appear designed to im- (Mr. GOHMERT).
year-old Devin Patrick Kelley, killed 26 and in- pose restrictions on natural rights Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, we
jured 20 others. guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.’’ have been told that 90 percent of Amer-
Every day, on average, 92 Americans are And finally, ‘‘Stand for our rights icans support this bill. Well, that is be-
victims of gun violence, resulting in more than and oppose these measures with every cause 99.99 percent of Americans have
33,000 deaths annually. tool in your grasp.’’ not read this bill.
States with higher gun ownership rates have I absolutely will fight these measures And we are told, yet again, that this
higher gun murder rates—as much as 114 with every tool in my grasp. These will save lives. And, yet, there is not
percent higher than other States. rights protect my life, liberty, and one single mass killing that has been
A recent study by the Centers for Disease property granted to me by God and brought up here today that would have
Control and Prevention, looking at 30 years of cannot be taken away from me by D.C. been prevented by this bill.
homicide data, found that for every 1 percent bureaucrats. And yet over and over we have people
increase in a State’s gun ownership rate, there I grew up in the Deep South at a time come in here, usually they mean well;
is a nearly 1 percent increase in its firearm when Black Americans were unable to look, this will protect people when the
homicide rate. defend themselves. After the Civil War, fact is that they can’t point to any of
Gun death rates are generally lower in Black Codes and Jim Crow laws prohib- these mass killings they talk about
States with restrictions such as safe storage ited people of color from owning fire- that would have been prevented.
requirements or assault weapons bans. arms. So let’s talk about lives that would
Mass shootings stopped by armed civilians In the mid-1950s, Martin Luther King, be saved. Think about the people that
in the past 33 years: 0. Jr., kept firearms for self-protection, are shot every day and would their sit-
Because more than 75 percent of the weap- but his application for a concealed uation be different if they were not
ons used in mass shootings between 1982 weapon permit was denied because of finding it so difficult to legally get a
and 2012 were obtained legally, stronger leg- racist gun control laws in his State. gun?
As a child, my dad witnessed an al- I mean, we had thousands of felony
islation is needed to prevent guns from getting
tercation between his father and a cases that came through my court, and
into the wrong hands.
southern White man who thought my we tried a lot of those cases. Over and
Mr. Speaker, enhancing the gun transfer
grandfather was being disrespectful over you hear, the criminals are not
background check system has consistently
and threatened to teach him a lesson. obeying the law. They are not going to
garnered broad public support, as high as 92
Later that night he drove up to my follow the law. They got their guns il-
percent, because the American people know
grandfather’s home with a bunch of his legally. And this will not change at all
that the status quo is simply intolerable and any of those people we tried and con-
action must be taken to reduce gun violence friends standing on the forerunner of a
Model T Ford. victed for getting guns. They steal
by keeping dangerous persons from obtaining them. They buy them from other peo-
deadly weapons. My grandfather was prepared. He and
his brothers had hidden around his ple that stole them. They don’t obey
That begins with passing H.R. 8, the Bipar-
front porch. As these bullies and cow- the law. That is why they are crimi-
tisan Background Checks Act of 2021,’’ and nals. So quit penalizing the American
H.R. 1446, the ‘‘Enhanced Background Check ards approached the house, they heard
the click of rifles and left just as fast people.
Act of 2021,’’ and I urge all members to join Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1
me in voting for its passage. as they came.
Without ever firing his gun on an- minute to the distinguished gentleman
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. from Maryland (Mr. RASKIN).
8, the ‘‘Bipartisan Background Checks Act of other human being, my grandfather’s
Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, Ameri-
2021,’’ and urge its quick adoption. right to own a firearm ensured his
cans are 25 more times more likely to
While the COVID–19 pandemic dominated rights to protect his life, liberty, and
die from gun violence than people who
news headlines in 2020, the number of shoot- property.
live in other developed countries, and
ings surged in many communities across I urge my colleagues to vote against
on that point our perpetually outraged
America. these anti-Second Amendment bills.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 and indignant colleagues have abso-
Our public health and emergency resources lutely nothing to say.
have been straining to respond to the minute to the distinguished gentleman
We lose 38,000 people a year, more
coronavirus crisis. Budgets are being from California (Mr. SWALWELL).
Mr. SWALWELL. Mr. Speaker, I than 100 people a day. From Newtown,
crunched nationwide. Across the country, cit- Connecticut, to El Paso, Texas, gun vi-
ies and states are struggling to find the re- thank Mr. THOMPSON for this legisla-
tion because it takes the most dan- olence is ripping the heart out of our
sources to simultaneously address the pan- social contract, making life for more
demic and rising rates of gun violence. gerous weapons out of the hands of the
Americans nasty, poor, solitary, brut-
We must take the steps that we know will most dangerous people.
I have heard from my colleagues on ish; in short, a Hobbesian state of war.
make us safer. H.R. 8 will close three gaping loop-
Because approximately 80 percent of fire- the other side of the aisle about rights.
holes in the law; the gun shows loop-
arms used for criminal purposes are obtained Let’s talk about some other rights in
hole, the internet loophole, and the pri-
without a background check, we must this country, like the right to pray in
vate sale loophole, cutting down pre-
strengthen our firearms background check church, the right to dance at a party,
cisely on the traffic in illegal guns,
system and close dangerous gaps, such as the right to come home from a concert,
which our colleagues cite as the source
the online sale and gun show loopholes. the right to come back home safely and
of criminal gun violence.
Reducing gun violence starts with making alive. Those are rights that matter, In opposing the American Rescue
sure that individuals who may not lawfully pos- too. Plan, they voted against science. In op-
sess guns do not get their hands on them. And I am for this because I think posing H.R. 1, they voted against de-
Our citizens overwhelmingly support this about a mother who told me a couple mocracy. And now in opposing H.R. 8,
measure, and it is critical we pass it today and years ago to keep fighting on this issue they are voting against public safety
enact it into law. because every day when she puts her and the social contract itself. What a

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Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 children in the car and sends them off moral collapse for a once-great party.
minutes to the gentleman from Utah to school, before they get out the car,
(Mr. OWENS). she closes her eyes to remember what b 1445
Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise they were wearing because she was Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 11⁄2
today in opposition to H.R. 8 and H.R. afraid that one day she may have to minutes to the gentleman from Ari-
1446. identify them. zona (Mr. BIGGS).

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March 10, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1295
Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Mr. MCCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, H.R. believed, because we trusted the people
gentleman for yielding. 8 is brought to us by the same organi- who we voted for. But just as with
Mr. Speaker, the last 2 weeks, the zations and politicians who have made most things in life, I grew up and
majority has attacked the First no secret of their intention ultimately learned that there is a better way to
Amendment, and now they are attack- to strip law-abiding citizens of their live. I was ignorant to firearms and the
ing the Second Amendment. right to defend themselves. Now, they proper use of them.
H.R. 8 will not save lives. As Justice know they can’t do it outright, so they Mr. Speaker, when I became a busi-
Scalia noted in his decision in Heller, do it through cynical measures like ness owner, I needed to protect myself.
the Second Amendment does not give this, which weave a web of laws so in- There was an altercation outside of my
Americans a right; it protects a pre- tricate that, sooner or later, everyone restaurant, where a man was phys-
existing right, and that right shall not can be caught up in them. ically beat to death. There were no
be infringed. This law affects not only sales but weapons involved. He was beaten to
H.R. 8 would not have prevented re- any transfer of a weapon for any period death by another man’s hands.
cent shootings. In Parkland, the shoot- of time. A couple of years ago, a 10- I have a lot of young girls who work
er acquired the firearm legally from an year study by Johns Hopkins and UC in my restaurant, and we needed an
FFL after undergoing a NICS check. Davis concluded that California’s back- equalizer. I am 5 feet tall. I weigh bare-
The same thing in Sutherland Springs, ground check law had no effect on gun ly 100 pounds. I need something against
Texas; the same in Las Vegas, Nevada; homicides or suicides. None. a stronger potential aggressor to de-
and the same in Orlando. I could go on The purpose of this bill is not public fend myself with.
because the list would produce the safety. That is its deceptive facade. Its Talk about women’s rights. Don’t
same result. They got their guns after purpose is to make gun ownership so take my right away to protect myself.
a background check, including in El legally hazardous, so fraught with legal I mean, seriously, what are we doing
Paso. boobytraps and draconian penalties, here? I ask the supporters of this legis-
Criminals who seek to do harm get lation, who do you think you are to
that no honest and law-abiding citizen
guns regardless of the new restrictions
would ever want to take the risk. disarm Americans and leave them vul-
imposed by H.R. 8. And with very lim-
Most criminals already get their nerable without help?
ited exceptions, H.R. 8 makes it illegal You want to defund our police and
guns illegally. They are unconstrained
for Americans to get a gun if a non-
by laws like this. This bill is aimed yet leave us without a way to protect
licensed importer, manufacturer, or
squarely at law-abiding citizens, mov- ourselves.
dealer is not involved. How will the Our Founding Fathers gave us a list
ing us closer to a society where decent
government know if an illegal transfer
people are defenseless and armed crimi- of items. They said don’t touch these
occurs? Without a registry, this bill is
nals are kings. things. And I am telling you, keep your
unenforceable.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 hands off of our Second Amendment.
Mr. Speaker, I have heard supporters
minute to the distinguished gentle- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr.
of this bill say that other countries
woman from Georgia (Mrs. MCBATH). BUTTERFIELD). Members are reminded
have similar restrictions so we should,
Mrs. MCBATH. Mr. Speaker, 2 years to address their remarks to the Chair.
too. I counter with the fact that other
ago, I came to Congress, and one of my Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1
countries do not have the Second
first actions as a Member was cospon- minute to the distinguished gentle-
Amendment. The Second Amendment
soring this bipartisan legislation that woman from Pennsylvania (Ms. DEAN).
was included to ensure that the United Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the
will save lives.
States would be different than other chairman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I know the pain of gun
countries. Mr. Speaker, I am assuming our col-
Mr. Speaker, I oppose this bill, and I violence firsthand. Eight years ago, I
lost my son, Jordan, a victim of a gun league on the other side of the aisle
urge my colleagues to do the same.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 in the wrong hands. can pass a background check, so she
minute to the distinguished gentle- With this legislation, we empower will have no inability to have a gun.
woman from Washington (Ms. law enforcement to keep guns from Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R.
JAYAPAL). those who might do harm by simply re- 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks
Ms. JAYAPAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in quiring a background check whenever a Act, because even as we manage a
strong support of H.R. 8, the Bipartisan gun is sold. This is commonsense legis- deadly pandemic, gun violence con-
Background Checks Act. This bill is lation that will prevent more families tinues to plague our Nation.
among the most commonsense gun vio- from knowing the pain of losing a loved Every year, more than 130,000 people
lence prevention reforms, requiring one to gun violence. in this Nation are victims of gun vio-
background checks for unlicensed sell- Just like 2 years ago, our vote today lence. Some 38,000 dead, another 100,000
ers. is a beginning, and it is definitely not caught in the crossfire. In my home re-
Mr. Speaker, this is not complicated. the end. In again passing this common- gion in Philadelphia, 2,244 people were
This is simple. Under H.R. 8, people sense bipartisan legislation, we call on victims of gun violence in the year
who wish to transfer a firearm would our colleagues in the Senate to do what 2020.
have to visit a licensed firearm dealer is right to keep America’s families Mr. Speaker, death by guns doesn’t
to run a background check before the safe. mean only murders. Sadly, it also
transfer could be finalized. Mr. Speaker, I am proud once again means death by suicide using a fire-
Most of these checks take 90 seconds, to stand in support of this legislation arm, which was the case in 62 percent
90 seconds to prevent firearms from as a survivor of gun violence myself. of Pennsylvania’s gun deaths last year.
ending up in the wrong hands, 90 sec- Mr. Speaker, Congress refusing to This is a public health crisis.
onds to prevent more of our loved ones pass this vital legislation would be The Bipartisan Background Checks
from being killed by gun violence. America’s shame and burden for gen- Act requires a background check for all
I am proud to be from Washington erations to come. gun sales, no loopholes, no backdoors,
State, where voters have consistently Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 a commonsense solution supported by a
tackled gun violence with common- minutes to the gentlewoman from Col- majority of Americans, including 89
sense reforms, passing one of the first, orado (Mrs. BOEBERT), the co-chair of percent of Republicans and 87 percent
most comprehensive background check the Second Amendment Caucus. of gun owners.
laws in 2014 and raising the legal age to Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Speaker, let’s find the courage to
purchase a semiautomatic rifle to 21 in the ranking member, JIM JORDAN, for address the crisis. Let’s save lives.

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2018. yielding. Let’s pass the bill.
Mr. Speaker, let’s do this. To save Mr. Speaker, I was raised in a Demo- Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, the pre-
lives, vote ‘‘aye.’’ crat home, so I understand how these vious speaker talked about the in-
Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 policies are deceiving. I understand crease in violent crime in her neighbor-
minutes to the gentleman from Cali- that we are told guns are scary. That is hood last year. Maybe if Democrats ac-
fornia (Mr. MCCLINTOCK). what we were told, and that is what we tively supported our police and not

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H1296 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 10, 2021
supported defund the police, maybe One way we can do that is by ensur- to another without a Federal firearms
that wouldn’t be the case. ing that ICE is notified when unlawful licensee overseeing the transfer and
Mr. Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 minutes to aliens attempt to purchase a firearm conducting a background check on the
the gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. illegally. The FBI reported just last prospective buyer. While there are lim-
LESKO). month that NICS had over 10 million ited exceptions to this bill, in this bill
Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I thank people listed as an illegal alien. In fact, it does nothing to address how violent
the gentleman, Mr. JORDAN, for yield- this ranks as the number one prohib- criminals actually obtain firearms, nor
ing. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to ited category in the FBI’s NICS Indi- does the bill make it harder for them
this bill. ces. to obtain a firearm. That is because
H.R. 8 is an assault on our Second Since 1998, over 28,000 illegal aliens criminals don’t follow the law. That is
Amendment right to keep and bear have been denied a firearm after failing why they are called criminals.
arms. The bill turns law-abiding citi- a NICS check. With over 2,700 in 2019 So by making these types of changes
zens into criminals by subjecting them alone, this means over 28,000 criminals to the law, the bill does nothing to pro-
to criminal penalties for simply lend- have been allowed to stay in the United hibit guns from ending up in the hands
ing a friend or a neighbor a gun on a States when ICE should have been of criminals. Instead, it does every-
temporary basis. alerted about their criminal act but thing possible to make it harder for
Additionally, the bill would inevi- were not. law-abiding citizens to exercise their
tably lead to a national gun registry Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8 fails to do any- Second Amendment rights.
because, without a registry, the gov- thing to prevent crime, which is why I Mr. Speaker, I urge a ‘‘no’’ vote on
ernment has no way to implement this am offering this motion to recommit, H.R. 8.
legislation. This bill is certainly a slip- so our Nation’s laws are enforced. And Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1
pery slope. if you will recall, this MTR passed in minute to the gentlewoman from Mas-
Most alarmingly, this bill does noth- 2019 with a strong bipartisan majority. sachusetts (Mrs. TRAHAN).
ing, absolutely nothing, to stop crimi- Mr. Speaker, if we adopt the motion Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker, there is
nals from obtaining firearms. Accord- to recommit, we will instruct the Com- a rampaging public health emergency
ing to the Department of Justice, less mittee on the Judiciary to consider my that has been with us for far too long.
than 1 percent of criminals in prison amendment to H.R. 8 to ensure that And there have been countless chilling
who possessed a firearm during their the FBI alerts ICE anytime an illegal examples of what happens when we fail
offense obtained the firearm from a li- alien is denied a firearm because of to act, or only take half measures, ano-
censed dealer, meaning criminals NICS. dyne placebos. Each time, more lives
would still have access to firearms Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous con- are lost.
under this law. sent to insert the text of my amend- Moreover, we have seen a particular
Mr. Speaker, this bill is just the first ment in the RECORD immediately prior community unjustly suffer scorn for
of many steps to take away our Second to the vote on the motion to recommit. this emergency. They have been
Amendment rights. I urge my col- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there scapegoated rather than recognized as
leagues to vote against this bill. objection to the request of the gen- the fellow victims of this crisis. But
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 tleman from Virginia? there is no question that the harms of
minute to the distinguished gentleman There was no objection. this crisis haven’t fallen evenly, and
from Colorado (Mr. NEGUSE). Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 the disparate harm offers all the more
Mr. NEGUSE. Mr. Speaker, I thank minute to the distinguished gentle- reason for actual solutions, not mere
the chair for yielding. woman from Massachusetts (Ms. talk. By now, my colleagues know that
Mr. Speaker, I rise today for the CLARK). I am not talking about COVID. I am re-
more than 100,000 Americans who every Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Mr. ferring to gun violence.
year are impacted by gun violence, and Speaker, in 2016, after the tragic Pulse Today, the most commonsense,
I rise today to give voice to the over- nightclub shooting, I, with my col- broadly popular, and impactful thing
whelming majority of the American leagues, sat in protest on this very that we can do is pass H.R. 8, and bol-
people who support universal back- floor with our friend, the late Con- ster our pitifully weak background
ground checks. gressman John Lewis. On that day, check system in the United States.
Communities in Colorado have expe- Congressman Lewis told us: ‘‘We have Keeping deadly weapons out of the
rienced the tragedy and the grief of turned deaf ears to the blood of the in- hands of those fueled by hate is as com-
gun violence far too many times—Col- nocent and the concern of our Nation. mon sense as it gets.
umbine, Aurora, Highlands Ranch. We are blind to a crisis.’’ Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to
Mr. Speaker, enough is enough. We Mr. Speaker, nearly 5 years later, we vote for H.R. 8.
have lost too many parents, friends, have endured thousands of mass shoot- Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 11⁄2
neighbors, students, and children to ings. We have mourned the loss of 100 minutes to the gentleman from Texas
gun violence. people every single day to suicide and (Mr. ROY).
This Congress must act, which is why homicide with guns. Mr. ROY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the
I support H.R. 8. We must act on gun Today’s vote will improve the safety gentleman from Ohio for yielding.
violence. We must pass H.R. 8, and we of our schools, our communities, and Mr. Speaker, right now in south
must send it to President Biden’s desk. our streets. It is a vote for kids, par- Texas there are American citizens
Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 ents, veterans, and our neighbors. I whose lives are in danger because of
minutes to the gentleman from Vir- stand here today thinking of the many wide open borders as a direct result of
ginia (Mr. CLINE). survivors and families who have been Biden’s border crisis and the policies of
Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, enough is waiting for this moment, and I think of the Democratic leadership of this body
enough, which is why I rise in strong my friend, John, who told us to always and the Senate. American citizens are
opposition to H.R. 8 and to offer a mo- speak out for the voiceless and act unsafe. I am not making that up.
tion to recommit the bill. boldly for justice. For the last 2 years, I have heard my
This bill is nothing more than a co- Today, with this bill, we will do just Democratic colleagues talking about a
ordinated effort by the authoritarian that. fake crisis at our border. There is noth-
left to strip away the constitutional ing fake about 100,000 people coming
rights guaranteed to Americans by the b 1500 across our border; or high-speed chases
Second Amendment. Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 through Uvalde, Texas; or high-speed

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Instead of criminalizing the innocent minute to the gentleman from Georgia chases in Real County, which I rep-
actions of law-abiding gun owners, (Mr. CLYDE). resent. There is nothing fake about
American citizens, we should be fo- Mr. CLYDE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to break-ins putting lives in danger.
cused on stopping real crime in our stand against H.R. 8. People own ranches, and now my
local communities and enforcing the This bill would make it a crime to Democratic colleagues, after defunding
laws that are already on the books. transfer a firearm from one individual the police and opening up our borders,

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March 10, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1297
want to take away our God-given tims are shot by criminals who have Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, I thank my
right—yes, God-given right—to defend obtained their guns illegally. They did friend from Ohio for yielding.
ourselves under the Second Amend- not apply for permits. They are not a Mr. Speaker, the fundamental truth
ment. That is what this is about. This member of the NRA. They are crimi- is that the Second Amendment guaran-
is about creating a gun registry to nals. These bills would do nothing to tees the right of law-abiding citizens to
track guns of the American people. keep the guns out of their hands. keep and bear arms to protect them-
There is no way to implement what the In all my years as a surgeon, I have selves and their loved ones.
Democrats are trying to implement yet to see a gun jump up by itself and America’s Founders spoke on this
without doing that. injure someone. It is either from a issue extensively. Benjamin Franklin
I can just tell you straight up, Tex- crime, a mental illness, or tragically warned that those who would give up
ans, Americans, the Government is from an accident. Where I live in east- essential liberty to purchase a little
never going to know what weapons I ern North Carolina, it is certainly dif- temporary safety deserve neither lib-
own. Let me be clear about that. It is ferent from New York City, the gun erty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin
not going to happen. We have a God- haven of Chicago, or Oakland, but we was right. The American tradition of
given right to defend our families, de- still have our share of drug-related and self-reliance, self-determination, and
fend our State, and defend ourselves gang-related crime. self-defense has been fierce. It has been
against tyranny; and we will do that On the other hand, we have a lot of what makes this country so excep-
regardless of the errant policies that wilderness that people back home, tional and so great.
this Democratic Congress is trying to adults and children, still enjoy hunt- Today, the House will vote on legisla-
jam through. ing. These law-abiding citizens should tion that would undermine that very
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 not have their rights trampled upon. right. What is worse is that both of
minute to the distinguished gentle- We are all saddened by the loss of life these bills would not have prevented
woman from Illinois (Ms. KELLY). from mass shootings, but, Mr. Speaker, mass shootings or tragedies across this
Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, the issue is not the gun itself, but the Nation. Those are awful events. We all
soon we will take a bipartisan vote on mental illness borne by the gun holder. agree that those events are awful. But
the Background Checks Act, a bill A mentally stable person does not in those cases, the criminal either
which could save lives in every district shoot innocent people. passed a background check or they
of our Nation. Expanding background The SPEAKER pro tempore. The stole their weapons.
checks will help prevent guns from get- time of the gentleman has expired. We cannot sacrifice our rights by
ting into the hands of those who may Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield passing laws that will make our fami-
be a danger to themselves or others. the gentleman from North Carolina lies less safe and laws that criminals
This is a simple commonsense solution (Mr. MURPHY) an additional 30 seconds. will simply ignore. We must always
to a worsening problem in our Nation. Mr. MURPHY of North Carolina. Mr. protect and preserve our God-given
Even in 2020, when many people were Speaker, H.R. 8 and H.R. 1446 absurdly Second Amendment right.
at home during the raging COVID–19 hamper people’s ability to exercise Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1
pandemic, we lost more than 41,000 peo- their constitutional right to defend minute to the distinguished gentleman
ple to gun violence. That number in- themselves. This sort of broad govern- from Virginia (Mr. CONNOLLY).
cludes nearly 300 children under the ment overreach does not save lives, but Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I
age of 11. My heart breaks for their treats everyday law-abiding citizens thank my friend for yielding.
parents. But heartbreak will do little like criminals. Mr. Speaker, I will remind my friend
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to on the other side of the aisle, the God-
to comfort those mourning families,
vote ‘‘no’’ on these bills. We should not given right every one of us has, accord-
and we know well enough by now it
support bills that place the rights of ing to the Declaration of Independence,
will do nothing to prevent any future
violent criminals above those law-abid- is life, and that is what we are arguing
tragedies.
It is time for us to step up to say ing American citizens. about here today.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, how Are we going to take protective
enough is enough. It is time for our
much time remains? measures that save lives?
families to be able to play in the park, The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen-
drive a car on the expressway, or on a This bill does that. I talk about the
tleman from New York has 111⁄2 min- ABCs of gun control. A, reinstate the
bus, or other things we take for grant- utes remaining, and the gentleman
ed without fear of gun violence. We Assault Weapons Ban; B, universal
from Ohio has 10 minutes remaining. background checks; and C, closing the
need to pass legislation that will save Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1
precious lives. gun show loophole.
minute to the distinguished gentleman
I ask: How many funerals have you Those three practical measures will
from California (Mr. LEVIN).
attended? Mr. LEVIN of California. Mr. Speak- save lives. And because I support ABC,
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to er, I rise today as a proud cosponsor of I get an F every year from the NRA,
vote in favor of H.R. 8, expand back- H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background and I am proud of that grade every
ground checks, and make our Nation Checks Act. year.
safer. This legislation has one simple goal: POINT OF ORDER
Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 keep guns out of the hands of people Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, point of
minutes to the gentleman from North who are dangerous. order. I would request that the col-
Carolina (Mr. MURPHY). More than 90 percent of the American league from Virginia direct his re-
Mr. MURPHY of North Carolina. Mr. people support universal background marks to you and not to other col-
Speaker, I thank the gentleman from checks on every firearm sale or trans- leagues.
Ohio for yielding. fer, and that is what this bill does. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposi- Our constituents expect us to find Chair reminds all Members to address
tion to H.R. 8 as well as H.R. 1446. common ground to finally end the gun their remarks to the Chair.
There is not a single Member in this violence epidemic in this country. Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 11⁄2
Chamber who does not mourn the inno- They expect us to pass this bipartisan minutes to the gentleman from Ohio
cent lives lost to gun violence, but I bill. The era of offering only thoughts (Mr. CHABOT).
solemnly believe that my Democratic and prayers is over. It is over. The Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, it is no
colleagues lack a fundamental under- American people demand action. H.R. 8 secret that I have been a committed
standing of this issue. is the action they are calling for. defender of the Second Amendment

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I have worked as a surgeon who has Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to since being elected to Congress back in
done pelvic trauma for close to 30 stand with the American people and 1994. For me, that means that I will do
years. In fact, I will submit that I am vote ‘‘yes.’’ Let’s get this done. everything that I possibly can to en-
the only Member of this Chamber who Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 sure that the rights of Americans, as
has ever operated on a gunshot victim. minutes to the gentleman from North they relate to the Second Amendment,
The infinite majority of gunshot vic- Carolina (Mr. BUDD). are protected, while at the same time

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H1298 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 10, 2021
working to keep firearms out of the Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, this are causing there to be increased fees,
hands of criminals and mentally unsta- morning I walked by an elementary increased paperwork, and more photo
ble individuals. school, and I saw parents dropping off IDs.
H.R. 8, unfortunately, doesn’t accom- their kids. I thought of parents around How does that not disenfranchise not
plish either of those goals. It is over- the country sending their kids back to just all Americans but disproportion-
burdensome, unreasonable, and, if school after months of virtual learning. ately minorities and the poor?
passed, would instead keep firearms They want their children to be safe. Mr. Speaker, I leave that to my col-
out of the hands of some hardworking But it has been 8 years after Sandy leagues to answer today.
and law-abiding citizens. Hook and 3 years after the shooting at Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1
Yesterday, at the Rules Committee, I Marjory Stoneman Douglas High minute to the distinguished gentleman
offered an amendment which would School in my district, we should be from New York (Mr. BOWMAN).
allow for the transfer of a firearm to ashamed that we have waited so long Mr. BOWMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have
museums or historical displays without and wasted so much time when we had the privilege of working in public
going through the burdensome require- could be saving lives. education for 20 years. I started my ca-
ments of this measure, but that emi- We cannot have safe communities reer in 1999. That was the same year of
nently reasonable amendment and oth- until we fix the crumbling foundation the Columbine High School shooting.
ers offered by my colleagues were flat- of our gun laws. That is the back- Throughout my career, unfortunately,
ly rejected by the majority. ground check system. Universal back- we have had to continually deal with
During this afternoon’s debate, we ground checks will help keep guns out school shootings.
have again expressed several concerns of dangerous hands. They will save In our schools we have to prepare
which will not be addressed or consid- lives in our schools, they will save lives children as young as 4 years old for the
ered by the majority. Instead of focus- in our homes, and they will save lives possibility of a school shooting. We
ing on improving the National Instant on our streets. have Columbine, we have Parkland, we
Criminal Background Checks System, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to have Virginia Tech, and we have Sandy
or NICS, providing resources to assist stand with survivors, with gun owners, Hook.
those with mental illnesses or hard- and with Americans of both Demo- I thought 9 years ago when Sandy
ening soft targets like schools and cratic and Republican Parties who sup- Hood occurred that the country would
places of worship, the majority will port universal background checks by stop, pause, and reflect on what is hap-
pass this legislation and attempt to voting to pass H.R. 8. pening in our Nation. It was a mass
further infringe on the Second Amend- Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve shooting of our 6-year-old children—
ment rights of our constituents. That the balance of my time. our babies. This law will begin the
is very, very unfortunate. Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 process of protecting our most vulner-
Mr. Speaker, for those reasons, I minute to the distinguished gentleman able and protecting our babies.
stand in opposition to this deeply from Texas (Mr. DOGGETT). Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve
flawed legislation. Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, this bill the balance of my time.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 simply requires that the background Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1
minute to the gentlewoman from Flor- check for a purchase that occurs with- minute to the distinguished gentleman
ida (Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ). in a gun shop applies outside a gun from Oregon (Mr. BLUMENAUER).
Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. shop. That doesn’t take away anyone’s Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, it
Speaker, I thank the gentleman for right, but it does protect us from con- is an honor for me to be here today
yielding. victed criminals, fugitives, and family with my colleagues, Mr. THOMPSON and
Mr. Speaker, I rise as both a mom abusers who are prevented from evad- Mrs. MCBATH.
and a Member of Congress in strong Mr. Speaker, Lucy’s courage is an in-
ing the law to buy a weapon of war on-
support of H.R. 8. spiration to me.
line or at a gun show. Texas Gun Sense This has been a priority for me in the
Last month, my community marked knows the gap in safety makes no
the 3-year anniversary of the Marjory quarter century I have been in Con-
sense. gress. I have supported every single re-
Stoneman Douglas shooting that stole Unfortunately, NRA has come to
17 innocent lives. form that has advanced. But we have a
stand for ‘‘No Republican Action.’’
The anxiety and terror that came change today because we have never
They offer us only moments of silence
that day has never left us. Yet, too had in 10 years the alignment with a
for mass murder, but they always come
many communities witness horrific House leadership and a Senate leader-
up short with one very important type
gun violence every day. Commonsense ship that will not bury it and a Presi-
of ammunition—courage. Students in
reform can end this agony and keep us dent who will enthusiastically sign it
March for Our Lives have that courage.
safer mainly by requiring background into law.
Moms Demand Action are steadfast in This is a landmark legislation that
checks for gun sales. Yet, loopholes
demanding meaningful action. many of us have been working on lit-
allow up to 80 percent of firearms to be As these gun lobbies continue to op-
sold without background checks. erally for decades, and this is one more
pose reasonable action, we must speak example of what difference it makes to
b 1515 up for gun safety. We must listen to have Democrats in charge and being
We must mandate universal back- the victims of violence before their able to advance meaningful gun safety.
ground checks for firearm sales by number is increased by another El Paso Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues
passing H.R. 8 and then pass Jaime’s shooting, another school shooting, or for their hard work, and I am proud to
Law, my legislation that expands that another concert interrupted by gunfire. stand with them.
same mandate to ammunition pur- We must act now to save lives. Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve
chases. Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 the balance of my time.
The pandemic made gun proliferation minute to the gentleman from Ken- Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, may I
worse, and inaction is not an option. tucky (Mr. MASSIE). ask how much time remains.
We must do all we can to ensure guns Mr. MASSIE. Mr. Speaker, I have a The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen-
and bullets don’t end up in the wrong brief point to make. I wonder how my tleman from New York has 41⁄2 minutes
hands. colleagues on the other side of the aisle remaining. The gentleman from Ohio
Mr. Speaker, the outliers on this hold two thoughts in contradiction si- has 61⁄2 minutes remaining.
issue are Republicans whose fealty to multaneously in their minds. They say Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1
the NRA results in more people dying that photo IDs and excessive registra- minute to the distinguished gentleman

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from gun violence. Enough is enough. tion paperwork and whatnot disenfran- from New York (Mr. JEFFRIES).
Mr. JORDAN. I reserve the balance of chises disproportionately minorities Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I thank
my time, Mr. Speaker. and the poor when they go to exercise the distinguished chair for yielding.
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 their right to vote. But today with Mr. Speaker, the right to bear arms
minute to the distinguished gentleman H.R. 8 and the next bill that is coming is an important part of the constitu-
from Florida (Mr. DEUTCH). up, they are doing exactly that. They tional fabric of this country, but it is

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March 10, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1299
not without limits. And the notion Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I thank
that America has 4 percent of the support of H.R. 8 and H.R. 1446, two gun my good friend from Ohio for yielding.
world’s population but 40 percent of the violence protection bills that would Mr. Speaker, once again, Democratic
world’s guns and a disproportionately help keep our communities safe. leadership is proposing legislation that
high amount of homicides and suicides Mr. Speaker, I am from Chicago, and would do nothing to prevent criminals
by guns should shock the conscience of we are no strangers to gun violence. In from accessing firearms while greatly
every single person in this Chamber. 2020 alone the city recorded 3,261 shoot- restricting the Second Amendment
Mass shooting after mass shooting ings and 769 murders. rights of law-abiding citizens.
after mass shooting, and yet we Some of my colleagues might point These bills are being sold to the pub-
haven’t acted to protect the health, out that Illinois has some of the strict- lic as an effort to pass universal back-
safety, and well-being of the American est gun laws in the country. That is ground checks. But House Democrats
people. true. But studies tracking the guns fail to recognize that every commercial
That is why H.R. 8 is so significant. show that guns often come from neigh- gun sale in the United States already
Universal criminal background check boring States with weaker gun laws. has a background check.
legislation is reasonable under the cir- People drive one or two States over, Mr. Speaker, ending gun violence in
cumstances given the tragedies that we and they come back with deadly weap- America is a goal we all share, but H.R.
confront. ons. 8 will subject law-abiding gun owners
House Democrats will not just talk The reality is that State laws aren’t to criminal penalties for simply hand-
about it. We are about it. That is why enough. We need stronger Federal laws, ing a firearm to another person.
we will pass H.R. 8, and now we have a too. For instance, if you loaned a friend a
Senate and a President who will ulti- Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to rifle to go hunting, they could face a
mately get it over the finish line. Vote pass these critical laws that have bi- year in prison or a $100,000 fine. This is
‘‘yes’’ on this lifesaving legislation. partisan support among voters across simply ridiculous.
Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 the country that would help keep guns The same would be true, Mr. Speak-
minutes to the gentlewoman from off the streets. er, if you loaned an abuse victim a fire-
Texas (Ms. VAN DUYNE). Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, the pre-
Ms. VAN DUYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise arm for self-defense. H.R. 1446 would
vious speaker talked about Chicago’s create arbitrary delays for firearm pur-
in opposition to the legislation we are
strictest gun laws in the country, but chases and could allow the FBI to
considering today.
In cities across America, violent yet there was a record number of delay a firearm transfer indefinitely.
crime has increased; and in cities shootings and crime last year. These bills would do nothing to keep
across America, laws already exist to What could be the cause of that? Americans safer and, in fact, threaten
severely punish violent criminals. But Maybe it is the fact they defunded the public safety and our constitu-
despite this, we are seeing local elected their police, something we have talked tional right to bear arms.
about now, well, since the Democrats
officials, district attorneys, and pros- b 1530
ecutors refuse to enforce existing laws started doing it.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve
and police who are continuously held
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. the balance of my time.
back from doing their jobs.
GROTHMAN). Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1
Instead of offering real solutions to
Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, one minute to the gentleman from Texas
improve public safety, it seems the ma-
more time we see people uncomfortable (Mr. GOODEN).
jority is determined to punish law-
with our Constitution. Our forefathers Mr. GOODEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker,
abiding citizens while doing nothing to
gave us the right to bear arms because in what alternative reality does it
actually close loopholes in the system.
If the bills we are considering were they wanted law-abiding people to have make sense for this Congress to take
really stopping gun crimes and violent the right to defend themselves. away people’s rights to defend them-
offenders from owning guns, then my Until Ferguson and the rise of the selves and, at the same time, defund
amendment would be one we are dis- antipolice movement about 5 years the police? That makes no sense.
cussing today, to prevent minors aged ago, the murder rate in this country What we have seen in the last few
15 to 17 who have committed violent fell by over one-half between the early days and the last week in this Congress
crimes from having their records ex- 1990s and around 2014. is an effort to punish the law-abiders in
punged and thereby able to purchase a What happened at that time? this Nation. We have to stop doing
firearm. We whipped up some antipolice this.
But rather than take up my amend- hysteria, and since that time things If we take away guns from law-abid-
ment to prevent felons from have gone wildly up. Now the majority ing citizens, we are doing nothing to
sidestepping our laws, the majority felt party introduces a cache of bills de- reduce crime. Look at Chicago. The
it more critical for public safety to ex- signed to make it more difficult for law-abiding citizens there do not live
pand background checks to ranchers law-abiding people to access a weapon in a safe environment. They are able to
and farmers with pest control issues. while not having any impact on people follow these procedures that you are
This is absurd. who wouldn’t obey the laws anyway. passing, but it is not going to do any-
Nothing in H.R. 1446 or H.R. 8 would They don’t like the idea of private thing to stop the violence.
prevent those seeking to harm others transfers. They don’t like the idea of We have to get away from this. We
from acquiring firearms. The people of being able to get a gun in less than 10 have to stop these laws that do not rep-
my district deserve better than this, days. They don’t like the idea that if resent the will of the American people.
which is why I will be introducing leg- the government doesn’t give the proper Let’s stop punishing the law-abiding
islation that will actually prevent vio- information over—well, apparently, citizens of the United States and get
lent criminals from clearing their they like the idea that they want to back to what they sent us here to do.
record. keep people from getting guns if the Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, can I in-
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to government, for whatever reason, is quire how much time we have remain-
oppose this bill and side with law-abid- slow in turning things over. ing?
ing Americans and side with those of In any event, let’s go back to the The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen-
us who want to take guns out of the things that worked for 25 years before tleman from Ohio has 11⁄2 minutes re-
hands of violent criminals. the rise of the antipolice movement if maining. The gentleman from New
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 we really want to see improvement. York has 21⁄2 minutes remaining.

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minute to the distinguished gentleman Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I am pre- Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I am pre-
from Illinois (Mr. GARCÍA). pared to close, and I reserve the bal- pared to close. I reserve the balance of
Mr. GARCÍA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, ance of my time. my time.
I thank Chair NADLER and my col- Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield
leagues for their leadership on this minute to the gentleman from Penn- the balance of my time to the gen-
issue. sylvania (Mr. MEUSER). tleman from Florida (Mr. DONALDS).

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H1300 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 10, 2021
Mr. DONALDS. Mr. Speaker, gun history. Last year was a particularly tragic year chapter both Spanish and English versions of
crime in the United States is a tragedy for the Fifth District, with 177 lives ended at the form required for the conduct of a back-
for us all. I heard the talk about Sandy the barrel of a gun. My heart breaks knowing ground check under subsection (t) and this
subsection, and the notice and form required
Hook, about Columbine, and, yes, there have already been 25 gun-related
under paragraph (3) of this subsection.’’.
about Parkland, which happened in my deaths in my District this year. As I speak
AMENDMENT NO. 5 OFFERED BY MS. JACKSON
State. It is a tragedy that we all face. today, I am remembering Kennedy Maxie. A LEE OF TEXAS
But the one thing, Mr. Speaker, we sweet, seven-year-old Black girl shot and Page 4, line 1, after ‘‘including’’ insert
all have to remember is that, in each killed in Atlanta while Christmas shopping with ‘‘harm to self, and’’.
one of these instances, the person who her family last December. She was an inno- AMENDMENT NO. 6 OFFERED BY MR. LAMB OF
acquired the firearm that committed cent victim, killed by someone who had no PENNSYLVANIA
this tragedy acquired it lawfully, or business with a gun. Page 3, line 7, after ‘‘transfer’’ insert ‘‘or
they stole the weapons from somebody The tragedies are too many, and the gun vi- exchange (which, for purposes of this sub-
else. This bill would not change any of olence too frequent. It’s past time we did section, means an in-kind transfer of a fire-
those tragedies. something. arm of the same type or value)’’.
If anything, what this bill does, it The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time AMENDMENT NO. 8 OFFERED BY MR. TORRES OF
puts more burden on law-abiding Amer- for debate has expired. NEW YORK
icans and does whittle away and strip Each further amendment printed in Page 1, line 9, insert ‘‘purchase or’’ before
their constitutional right to bear arms. part C of House Report 117–10 not ear- ‘‘possession’’.
You see, the issue is much more about lier considered as part of amendments The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
mental health than it is about the abil- en bloc pursuant to section 6 of House ant to House Resolution 188, the gen-
ity to acquire firearms. Resolution 188, shall be considered only tleman from New York (Mr. NADLER)
For this body to unilaterally make it in the order printed in the report, may and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. JOR-
significantly more difficult for a law- be offered only by a Member designated DAN) each will control 10 minutes.
abiding citizen to acquire a firearm, in the report, shall be considered as The Chair recognizes the gentleman
which is their constitutional, God- read, shall be debatable for the time from New York.
given right, is this body acting outside specified in the report equally divided Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield
of its authority under the United and controlled by the proponent and an myself 45 seconds.
States Constitution. opponent, may be withdrawn by the Mr. Speaker, this en bloc amendment
Mr. Speaker, in short, this bill will proponent at any time before the ques- includes several amendments that
not fix the tragedies that we face. Un- tion is put thereon, shall not be subject strengthen the bill and that thought-
fortunately, laws don’t fix most of the to amendment, and shall not be subject fully modify it to account for practical
tragedies that we face as Americans. to a demand for division of the ques- considerations surrounding the use and
What fixes them is dealing with the tion. misuse of firearms.
human condition that, unfortunately, It shall be in order at any time after Among this group are a provision
inhabits people in our country. We debate for the chair of the Committee that clarifies the exchange of firearms
should be working on that, not strip- on the Judiciary or his designee to between family members, a measure to
ping the constitutional rights from our offer amendments en bloc consisting of protect more expansive State firearm
fellow citizens. further amendments printed in part C laws, an amendment that would ensure
Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield of House Report 117–10, not earlier dis- ATF background check forms are
back the balance of my time. posed of. Amendments en bloc shall be available in Spanish, and a proposal
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield considered as read, shall be debatable that would allow for temporary trans-
myself the balance of my time. for 20 minutes equally divided and con- fers for pest control.
Mr. Speaker, since the House passed trolled by the chair and ranking minor- Representative JACKSON LEE’s
H.R. 8 more than 2 years ago, an esti- ity member of the Committee on the amendment concerning suicide is par-
mated 80,000 people have lost their Judiciary or their respective designees, ticularly important as it highlights the
lives to gun violence. We have had too shall not be subject to amendment, and tragic consequences that access to fire-
many moments of silence and too shall not be subject to a demand for di- arms can have on those who intend to
many expressions of sympathy. Too vision of the question. harm themselves.
many families are grieving the loss of a The Chair understands that amend- Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to
loved one. ments Nos. 1 and 2 will not be offered; vote in favor of the en bloc amend-
Expanding background checks is is that correct? ment, and I reserve the balance of my
overwhelmingly supported by the Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, that is time.
American public because they know correct. Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2
that it will make a meaningful dif- AMENDMENTS EN BLOC OFFERED BY MR. NADLER
minutes to the gentleman from Texas
ference in reducing gun violence and OF NEW YORK (Mr. PFLUGER).
saving lives. It is time to enact this Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, pursuant Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise
important legislation. to House Resolution 188, I offer amend- today as a Texan, a constitutional con-
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance servative, and in strong opposition not
ments en bloc.
of my time. only to the amendments but to H.R. 8,
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
Ms. WILLIAMS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I a bill that would impose so-called uni-
Clerk will designate the amendments
rise today in support of H.R. 8, the Bipartisan versal background checks and gut the
en bloc.
Background Checks Act of 2021. This com- Second Amendment rights of law-abid-
Amendments en bloc consisting of
mon-sense legislation would save lives in ing gun owners throughout this coun-
amendment Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8, printed
every state, every congressional district, and try.
in part C of House Report 117–10, of-
every community, by preventing guns from We all mourn the loss of innocent
fered by Mr. NADLER of New York:
being sold to people who are dangers to lives from gun violence that has hap-
AMENDMENT NO. 3 OFFERED BY MR. CROW OF
themselves or others. pened in my district and in those
COLORADO
If this is truly ‘‘The People’s House’’ then we around the country. No family should
MUST pass H.R. 8 for the safety and protec- Page 4, line 17, insert ‘‘pest control on a
ever have to endure such tragic and
farm or ranch,’’ before ‘‘or fishing’’.
tion of all people. Enough is enough. Too Page 4, line 25, insert ‘‘pest control on a terrible unnecessary loss.
many times innocent lives have been lost to farm or ranch,’’ before ‘‘or fishing’’. But the truth is that this legislation
guns in the hands of people wishing to do AMENDMENT NO. 4 OFFERED BY MS. GARCIA OF
does nothing to address the root causes

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harm. That’s why 93 percent of Americans TEXAS of gun violence and may do little to ac-
support requiring universal background checks Page 5, line 11, strike the close quotation
tually prevent criminals from obtain-
on all gun sales. The people know: back- marks and the following period. ing guns, as has previously been said
ground checks work. Page 5, after line 11, insert the following: during this debate.
By preventing guns from falling into the ‘‘(4) The Attorney General shall make What will be prevented, though?
hands of people with mental illness or criminal available to any person licensed under this Your ability to lend your neighbor a

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March 10, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1301
firearm if there are reports of break- Specifically, the amendment makes clear Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2
ins; the ability of your suicidal friend that a gun owner who realizes that he or she minutes to the gentleman from Penn-
or family member to ask you to re- is at risk of suicide may transfer the gun to sylvania (Mr. PERRY).
move their firearms from their home; someone else, if the risk is imminent, without Mr. PERRY. Mr. Speaker, just yes-
or if a colleague comes to you and says a background check to prevent self-harm. terday afternoon at 3 o’clock in At-
that they are trapped in an abusive re- This amendment will help ensure that no lanta, an armed robber walked into
lationship and scared for their life, you person who is experiencing a suicidal crisis Chick-fil-A to rob the place.
could face a $100,000 fine or prison time will feel compelled to retain their gun when it Now, think about that. You are in
for lending out your gun for self-de- would be better for them to temporarily trans- there with your children, getting a
fense. fer it to someone else. meal in the middle of the day, and
If we are going to effect real change, H.R. 8 already exempts from the require- somebody comes in with a gun, puts
we don’t need to tack additional re- ment of a background check ‘‘a temporary your life at risk. Everybody in the
strictions on law-abiding citizens. We transfer that is necessary to prevent imminent place is at risk.
need to look at the root causes and death or great bodily harm, including harm to Did that guy get a background check
have a transparent and open debate self, family, household members, or others, if to get his firearm? We don’t know yet,
here to talk about mental health and the possession by the transferee lasts only as but odds are he didn’t because most of
the proper enforcement of laws that we long as immediately necessary to prevent the these crimes that are committed with
already have. imminent death or great bodily harm, including a gun are with people who don’t—guess
This is yet another example of Fed- the harm of domestic violence, dating partner what? I have a news flash—they don’t
eral overreach, another example of the violence, sexual assault, stalking, and domes- follow the law.
erosion of our rights, and a slippery tic abuse.’’ Robbing the Chick-fil-A at 3 o’clock
slope that will strip all Americans of A gun owner who realizes that they are at in the afternoon in Atlanta is not in
our Second Amendment rights as out- risk of suicide would have several options accordance with the law. But I will tell
lined in the Constitution. under this bill. you what happened. An armed citizen
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to They may loan the gun to a family member stopped the robbery using his firearm,
vote ‘‘no’’ on the amendment and the pursuant to the family member exception. a legally obtained firearm, and saved
bill. They may ask a gun dealer to store the gun everybody in the place.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I Do you know who is happy? The peo-
temporarily.
yield myself 1 minute. And if the risk is imminent, they may trans- ple in the Chick-fil-A are happy that
As indicated, the Jackson Lee
fer it to someone else, pursuant to this excep- the guy who bought the gun legally
amendment is a simple, important, and
straightforward amendment, and it is, tion. was there to save them and their chil-
This amendment clarifies that this last op- dren. That is who is happy.
frankly, to save lives.
Specifically, the amendment makes tion is available to someone who is at risk for This legislation, Mr. Speaker, dis-
clear that a gun owner who realizes suicide. arms that person who operated his fire-
that he or she is at risk of suicide may As Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on arm legally. That is what this legisla-
transfer the gun to someone else if the Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, I tion does. It disarms America. It says
risk is imminent, without a back- urge all members to join me in supporting to the criminal: Keep on not abiding by
ground check, to prevent self-harm. Jackson Lee Amendment No. 9 by voting for the law. You got your weapon illegally.
This amendment will help ensure the En Bloc Amendment to H.R. 8, the Bipar- You are going to keep doing it.
that no person who is experiencing a tisan Background Checks Act of 2021. It doesn’t stop them from doing any-
suicidal crisis will feel compelled to re- Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8 is a strong bill to ex- thing. What it does do is it stops the
tain their gun when it would be better pand the federal firearms background check guy who is going to get his firearm le-
for them to temporarily transfer it to requirement as our citizens have demanded. gally and end the crime in his commu-
someone else. To make the bill even stronger, I offer an nity. That is who it stops.
Contrary to what my friends on the amendment that will help save even more No charges are pending on that indi-
other side have said, H.R. 8 does al- lives. vidual in Atlanta who stopped that
ready exempt from the requirement of My amendment would make clear that a crime. No charges are pending. He fol-
a background check ‘‘a temporary gun owner who realizes that he or she is at lowed the law.
transfer that is necessary to prevent risk of suicide may transfer the gun to some- This bill, Mr. Speaker, seeks to pun-
imminent death or great bodily harm, one else, without a background check—if the ish people who want to follow the law,
including harm to self, family, house- risk is imminent to prevent self-harm. and that is what is going to happen.
hold members, or others, if the posses- The largest number of gun deaths each Do you know what is going to happen
sion by the transferee lasts only as year are suicides. Studies have shown that when we do this? There are going to be
long as immediately necessary to pre- the prevalence of suicide in the United States more crimes. There are going to be
vent the imminent death or great bod- is directly linked to the easy availability of more unauthorized weapons out there,
ily harm, including the harm of domes- guns. and there are going to be less people
tic violence, dating partner violence, Roughly sixty percent of gun deaths are sui- out there defending themselves and our
sexual assault, stalking, and domestic cides. Tragically, an average of 63 people, die community. That is what is happening.
abuse.’’ by gun suicide every day in the U.S. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ‘‘no’’ vote on
This amendment, however, clarifies The notion that suicides are inevitable, that this.
that this last option is available to people will just find another way, is wrong. Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I
someone who is at risk for suicide. Suicide attempts are often impulsive acts, am delighted to yield 1 minute to the
I ask my colleagues to support the and forty-eight percent of people harm them- distinguished gentleman from Cali-
Jackson Lee amendment to protect selves within 10 minutes of deciding to at- fornia (Mr. THOMPSON), the chairman of
those who may be a danger to them- tempt suicide. Seventy-one percent do so our task force.
selves. within one hour. Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Jackson But those who reach for a gun during suici- Speaker, that is nonsense. What was
Lee Amendment No. 9 included in the Chair- dal crises rarely have a second chance. just said on the floor is not accurate.
man En Bloc Amendment to H.R. 8, the ‘‘Bi- Eighty-four percent of suicide attempts with a The only thing this bill does is re-
partisan Background Checks Act of 2021,’’ firearm are fatal. Think about this sad fact. quire a background check. If someone
which would require a background check on Temporarily reducing access to guns signifi- has legally purchased a firearm and
every gun sale or transfer with limited excep- cantly increases the likelihood of surviving a passed a background check, nobody is

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tions, such as gifts to family members and suicide attempt. going to take that gun away from
transfers for hunting, target shooting, and self- That is why I urge my colleagues to vote in them. They legally purchased it. They
defense. favor of the bloc of amendments that includes passed the background check.
The Jackson Lee Amendment No. 9 makes my proposed revision to H.R. 8. To come out with that kind of non-
a simple common-sense improvement to the Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of sense, that type of scare tactic, is not
bill. my time. complementary to the decorum of this

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H1302 CORRECTION CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 10, 2021
House, and it does not speak to this When a Saudi terrorist started shoot- Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve
bill. ing, Mo sacrificed himself to protect the balance of my time.
b 1545 others. That is who he was. Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I
Service, selflessness, sacrifice, Mo am prepared to close, and I reserve the
Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield represented the very best in all of us. balance of my time.
myself such time as I may consume. The great State of Florida is proud of Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield
Mr. Speaker, I think part of the point him and proud to call him one of our myself the balance of my time.
of the gentleman from Pennsylvania own. In closing, we can say we are opposed
was this system is a mess. Over 110,000 The attack at Naval Air Station Pen- to the en bloc amendments for all of
people were denied access to a firearm sacola killed three young sailors and the reasons we have cited now in the
when they went through the back- wounded eight more. last hour and a half on this legislation.
ground check, but only 12 were pros- The terrorist bought the gun legally, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance
ecuted. Mr. MASSIE led off our debate using a hunting license to get it. Al- of my time.
by talking about this one. That tells Qaida and ISIS know about this loop- Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I
you one or two things. hole, and until we close it, the Amer- yield myself the balance of my time.
I think the main takeaway is, how ican people will remain vulnerable. Mr. Speaker, as has been said over
many people were falsely denied? Or if That is why my bipartisan bill to and over again on the floor of the
they weren’t, why weren’t more people close the Pensacola loophole has the House, H.R. 8 provides for the legal ac-
prosecuted? support of the Brady Campaign, the cess to guns. It does not take away
If the focus is to make sure the bad Giffords, Major County Sheriffs, and guns from any American.
guy doesn’t get the gun, holy cow, over the Fraternal Order of Police. In addition, the Second Amendment
110,000 were denied access to a firearm, I look forward to working with the is truly preserved with H.R. 8, and it is
not given a clearance. Yet only 12 pros- chairman and my colleagues on both in compliance with the law which al-
ecuted? sides of the aisle to pass this bill.
If you guys want to work with us on lows the regulation of guns, even with
Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 the Second Amendment.
that issue, we are happy to do that. In minute to the gentleman from Penn- We ask our colleagues to support
fact, we have supported that and sylvania (Mr. PERRY). H.R. 8 and the en bloc amendments in-
talked about that, but you don’t want Mr. PERRY. Mr. Speaker, we lament cluded therein.
to do that. the death of our good friend, Mr.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance
CRIST’s constituent, Mo. We lament it. of my time.
my time.
We especially lament it because when The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I
you are in the military and you are on for debate has expired.
yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman
base and you are in uniform, you are Pursuant to House Resolution 188,
from Texas (Ms. GARCIA), a member of
prohibited from carrying a firearm. the previous question is ordered on the
the Judiciary Committee.
Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I Think about that. Those in our country amendments en bloc offered by the
rise in strong support of H.R. 8, the Bi- most well trained to use a firearm lose gentleman from New York (Mr. NAD-
partisan Background Checks Act. their lives because they cannot defend LER).
Mr. Speaker, I grew up on a farm. I themselves, as a regulation by the DOD The question is on the amendments
was taught at an early age how to han- that says they cannot carry a firearm en bloc.
dle a .22 and shotgun. We used them for on base. That is why Mo is not here. The en bloc amendments were agreed
hunting, to put food on the table. Sure, there is a Saudi terrorist in to.
But this bill is just simply a back- town that is killing people, but Mo A motion to reconsider was laid on
ground check for every gun sale or could have stopped that if Mo were al- the table.
transfer, with commonsense excep- lowed to use his skills provided by the The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
tions. As the previous speaker noted, taxpayers and desired by him. He want- Chair understands that amendment No.
this has nothing to do with keeping ed to serve his country, he wanted to 7 will not be offered.
someone who legally obtained a gun serve his community, and he should The previous question is ordered on
from getting one. have been allowed to. the bill, as amended.
When my niece got her first buck This bill is more of the same thing, The question is on the engrossment
over the holidays at the family farm, disallowing American citizens to de- and third reading of the bill.
my brother-in-law gave her his favorite fend themselves. Unfortunately, Mo is The bill was ordered to be engrossed
shotgun as a present. They were all so a prime example. and read a third time, and was read the
excited. That would be exempted from Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I third time.
any paperwork, and that just makes yield 1 minute to the gentleman from MOTION TO RECOMMIT
sense. Pennsylvania (Mr. LAMB). Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I have a
My amendment also makes sense. It Mr. LAMB. Mr. Speaker, I rise in motion to recommit at the desk.
simply codifies the practice of ensuring support of my amendment, to make The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
that the background check forms and perfectly clear that transfers of fire- Clerk will report the motion to recom-
notifications used to purchase or trans- arms between family members do not mit.
fer a firearm remain available in Span- require a background check, are not The Clerk read as follows:
ish, as well as in English. subject to the strictures of this bill. We Mr. Jordan moves to recommit the bill
Our country is blessed with a diverse should make that clear in order to con- H.R. 8 to the Committee on the Judiciary.
population. Language diversity is part firm what we have all said here today, The material previously referred to
of that diversity that we should cele- that this is a bill that targets those by Mr. CLINE is as follows:
brate. who break the law, not those who abide At the end of the bill, add the following:
Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve by it. (e) The Attorney General shall promulgate
the balance of my time. My amendment shows respect for the a regulation that shall, in the case of a back-
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I important tradition within many fami-

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ground check conducted by the national in-
yield 1 minute to the gentleman from lies in western Pennsylvania and else- stant criminal background check system es-
Florida (Mr. CRIST). where of passing down a shotgun or a tablished under section 103 of the Brady
Mr. CRIST. Mr. Speaker, I rise in hunting rifle from a father to a son. Handgun Violence Prevention Act in re-
support of the Bipartisan Background That is allowed under our bill. sponse to a contact from an importer, a man-
And a further and more important ufacturer, or a dealer, licensed under chapter
Checks Act.
44 of title 18, United States Code, which
I also rise for my constituent, Mo- sign of respect will come when we vote
background check indicates that the receipt
hammed Haitham. Mo was a young for final passage tomorrow to strength- of a firearm by a person would violate sec-
sailor who followed his mother’s foot- en the right of those who obey the law tion 922(g)(5) of title 18, United States Code,
steps into the Navy, with the dream of by keeping those who break it away a requirement that the system notify U.S.
becoming a pilot. from your right to own a firearm. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

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March 10, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1303
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- is prohibited by Federal, State, or local law within the 10-day period referred to in sub-
ant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX, the pre- from purchasing or possessing a firearm; and clause (II) of such section.
vious question is ordered on the motion ‘‘(bb) requests that the system respond to SEC. 5. REPORT TO THE CONGRESS.
the contact referred to in subparagraph (A) Within 150 days after the date of the enact-
to recommit.
within 10 business days after the date the pe- ment of this Act, the Attorney General, in
The question is on the motion to re- tition was submitted (or, if the petition is consultation with the National Resource
commit. submitted by first-class mail, the date the Center on Domestic Violence and Firearms,
The question was taken; and the letter containing the petition is post- shall submit to the Congress a report ana-
Speaker pro tempore announced that marked); and lyzing the effect, if any, of this Act on the
the noes appeared to have it. ‘‘(II) 10 business days have elapsed since safety of victims of domestic violence, do-
Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I the other person so submitted the petition, mestic abuse, dating partner violence, sexual
demand the yeas and nays. and the system has not notified the licensee assault, and stalking, and whether any fur-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- that the receipt of a firearm by such other ther amendments to the background check
ant to section 3(s) of House Resolution person would violate subsection (g) or (n) of process, including amendments to the condi-
this section; and’’; and tions that must be met under this Act for a
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
(2) by adding at the end the following: firearm to be transferred when the system
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, fur- ‘‘(7) The Attorney General shall— has not notified the licensee that such trans-
ther proceedings on this question are ‘‘(A) prescribe the form on which a petition fer would not violate subsection (g) or (n) of
postponed. shall be submitted pursuant to paragraph section 922 of title 18, United States Code,
Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, (1)(B)(ii); would likely result in a reduction in the risk
further consideration of H.R. 8 is post- ‘‘(B) make the form available electroni- of death or great bodily harm to victims of
poned. cally, and provide a copy of the form to all domestic violence, domestic abuse, dating
licensees referred to in paragraph (1); partner violence, sexual assault, and stalk-
f
‘‘(C) provide the petitioner and the licensee ing.
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER involved written notice of receipt of the peti- SEC. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE.
PRO TEMPORE tion, either electronically or by first-class
This Act and the amendments made by
mail; and
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under this Act shall take effect 210 days after the
‘‘(D) respond on an expedited basis to any
clause 5(d) of rule XX, the Chair an- date of the enactment of this Act.
such petition received by the Attorney Gen-
nounces to the House that, in light of eral. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The bill
the resignation of the gentlewoman ‘‘(8)(A) If, after 3 business days have is debatable for 1 hour equally divided
from Ohio (Ms. FUDGE), the whole num- elapsed since the licensee initially contacted and controlled by the chair and rank-
ber of the House is 431. the system about a firearm transaction, the ing minority member of the Committee
system notifies the licensee that the receipt
f of a firearm by such other person would not
on the Judiciary.
violate subsection (g) or (n), the licensee The gentleman from New York (Mr.
ENHANCED BACKGROUND CHECKS NADLER) and the gentleman from Ohio
ACT OF 2021 may continue to rely on that notification for
the longer of— (Mr. JORDAN) each will control 30 min-
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, pursuant ‘‘(i) an additional 25 calendar days after utes.
to House Resolution 188, I call up the the licensee receives the notification; or The Chair recognizes the gentleman
bill (H.R. 1446) to amend chapter 44 of ‘‘(ii) 30 calendar days after the date of the from New York (Mr. NADLER).
title 18, United States Code, to initial contact.
GENERAL LEAVE
strengthen the background check pro- ‘‘(B) If such other person has met the re-
quirements of paragraph (1)(B)(ii) before the Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I ask
cedures to be followed before a Federal system destroys the records related to the unanimous consent that all Members
firearms licensee may transfer a fire- firearm transaction, the licensee may con- may have 5 legislative days in which to
arm to a person who is not such a li- tinue to rely on such other person having revise and extend their remarks and in-
censee, and ask for its immediate con- met the requirements for an additional 25 sert extraneous material on H.R. 1446.
sideration. calendar days after the date such other per- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
The Clerk read the title of the bill. son first met the requirements.’’.
SEC. 3. GAO REPORTS.
objection to the request of the gen-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- tleman from New York?
ant to House Resolution 188, the bill is Within 90 days after the end of each of the
1-year, 3-year, and 5-year periods that begin There was no objection.
considered read. Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield
with the effective date of this Act, the Comp-
The text of the bill is as follows:
troller General of the United States shall myself such time as I may consume.
H.R. 1446 prepare and submit to the Committee on the Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1446, the Enhanced
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- Judiciary of the House of Representatives Background Checks Act of 2021, is a
resentatives of the United States of America in and the Committee on the Judiciary of the critical bill to provide law enforcement
Congress assembled, Senate a written report analyzing the extent
the necessary time to keep firearms
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. to which, during the respective period, para-
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Enhanced graphs (1)(B)(ii) and (7) of section 922(t) of out of the hands of those who are not
Background Checks Act of 2021’’. title 18, United States Code, have prevented legally eligible to own them.
SEC. 2. STRENGTHENING OF BACKGROUND firearms from being transferred to prohib- The 2015 massacre at Emanuel AME
CHECK PROCEDURES TO BE FOL- ited persons, which report shall include but Church in Charleston, which killed
LOWED BEFORE A FEDERAL FIRE- not be limited to the following— nine innocent people, stands as a tragic
ARMS LICENSEE MAY TRANSFER A (1) an assessment of the overall implemen-
FIREARM TO A PERSON WHO IS NOT
reminder of how current background
tation of such subsections, including a de- check laws sometimes fall short.
SUCH A LICENSEE.
scription of the challenges faced in imple-
Section 922(t) of title 18, United States Under current law, a licensed gun
menting such paragraphs; and
Code is amended—
(2) an aggregate description of firearm pur- dealer conducting a background check
(1) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking clause on a prospective purchaser is permitted
chase delays and denials, and an aggregate
(ii) and inserting the following: to sell the firearm to the purchaser if
analysis of the petitions submitted pursuant
‘‘(ii) in the event the system has not noti- there has been no determination from
to such paragraph (1)(B)(ii).
fied the licensee that the receipt of a firearm
by such other person would violate sub-
SEC. 4. REPORTS ON PETITIONS SUPPORTING the background check system, com-
FIREARM TRANSFERS NOT IMME- monly called NICS, after 3 business
section (g) or (n) of this section— DIATELY APPROVED BY NICS SYS-
‘‘(I) not fewer than 10 business days (mean- TEM, THAT WERE NOT RESPONDED days.
ing a day on which State offices are open) TO IN A TIMELY MANNER. This is the case even if the system
has elapsed since the licensee contacted the The Director of the Federal Bureau of In- has not indicated that the person has
system, and the system has not notified the vestigation shall make an annual report to actually passed the background check.
licensee that the receipt of a firearm by such the public on the number of petitions re- Often, we refer to this as a default pro-

dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE
other person would violate subsection (g) or ceived by the national instant criminal ceed transaction.
(n) of this section, and the other person has background check system established under
While 96 percent of background
submitted, electronically through a website section 103 of the Brady Handgun Violence
established by the Attorney General or by Prevention Act that were submitted pursu- checks are processed within 3 business
first-class mail, a petition for review which— ant to subclause (I) of section 922(t)(1)(B)(ii) days, an analysis of FBI data showed
‘‘(aa) certifies that such other person has of title 18, United States Code, with respect that over 35,000 guns were transferred
no reason to believe that such other person to which a determination was not made to prohibited purchasers between 2008

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