Washington, D.C. – As Vice Chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) today joined Chairman Mike Thompson (CA-05) and 131 Members of the House Democratic Caucus in writing to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell urging him to hold a vote on H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Check Act of 2019 and H.R. 1112, the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019. Both passed the House with bipartisan support more than 260 days ago and have been blocked from Senate consideration despite widespread public support.

Full letter here and pasted below:

The Honorable Mitch McConnell

Majority Leader

United States Senate

The Capitol, S-230

Washington, DC 20500

Dear Leader McConnell:

We strongly urge you to vote on and pass H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Check Act, and H.R 1112, the Enhanced Background Checks Act.

Just this week, we witnessed yet another tragedy—the shooting at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California. Sadly, it is only the latest example of the gun violence plaguing our country from Orinda to Dayton, Chicago to El Paso, Virginia Beach to Charlotte, and many other communities that never make the headlines. You cannot allow such senseless loss of life to continue unabated. You must act.

More than 260 days ago, the House Democratic Majority acted decisively, on a bipartisan basis, and with the support of more than 90 percent of the American people to pass legislation that addresses our nation’s epidemic of gun violence. Since then, you have taken no action on these life-saving measures in the Senate. This delay is unconscionable.

Background checks save lives. Every day, our background check system stops more than 170 felons and 50 domestic abusers from acquiring a firearm. Every day the Senate fails to act increases the likelihood these dangerous individuals can get a gun anyway and lives will be lost.

Again, we urge you to hold a vote on H.R 8, the Bipartisan Background Check Act, and H.R. 1112, the Enhanced Background Checks Act. You can still do the right thing for our communities. The eyes of our nation and of history are on you. Thank you for your attention to this grave matter of urgency.

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