[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 48 (Thursday, April 11, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H1920]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    REDUCING GUN VIOLENCE IN AMERICA

  (Mr. KILDEE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, today, the Senate is taking up commonsense 
legislation to help reduce gun violence in America.
  I have and always will be a staunch supporter of the Second 
Amendment, and I strongly support the constitutional rights of my 
constituents to own guns. This bipartisan legislation to expand 
background checks does not infringe on the rights of law-abiding gun 
owners. Instead, it strengthens our existing system of background 
checks to help keep guns out of the hands of dangerous offenders.
  Forty percent of guns sold in the United States currently don't go 
through background checks. Failing to act means that just anyone can 
continue to buy weapons at gun shows or over the Internet without being 
subject to a background check. The vast majority of Americans support 
background checks. Democrats and Republicans support background checks. 
The vast majority of responsible gun owners support background checks.
  It is commonsense legislation that should be enacted, and it will 
make our country safer. I urge the House to take this up as soon as the 
Senate completes its work.

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