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Former Rep. Giffords Joins Bipartisan Group To Introduce Background Check Legislation

wikipedia.org

A bipartisan group of Congresspeople is once again filing a bill that would require background checks for all commercial gun purchases. Supporters include New York Republican Congressman Peter King and Democratic Congresswomen Elizabeth Esty of Connecticut and Kathleen Rice of New York.Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords joined the coalition to introducewhat’s officially known as the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2015. Giffords was shot in the head during a 2011 shooting in Arizona that killed six people.

“It closes the gun shows loopholes and more importantly I would say the internet loophole,”  said Illinois Republican Congressman Bob Dold. “It makes sure that dangerously individuals aren’t evading background check requirements by simply going to Google and buying a weapon on the internet.”

With the opposition of the National Rifle Association, similar legislation in the House and Senate failed in 2013.

Jim is WAMC’s Assistant News Director and hosts WAMC's flagship news programs: Midday Magazine, Northeast Report and Northeast Report Late Edition. Email: jlevulis@wamc.org
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