[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 10, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H1286-H1303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                BIPARTISAN BACKGROUND CHECKS ACT OF 2021

  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 188, I call up 
the bill (H.R. 8) to require a background check for every firearm sale, 
and ask for its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 188, the bill 
is considered read.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                 H.R. 8

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Bipartisan Background Checks 
     Act of 2021''.

     SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

       The purpose of this Act is to utilize the current 
     background checks process in the United States to ensure 
     individuals prohibited from gun possession are not able to 
     obtain firearms.

     SEC. 3. FIREARMS TRANSFERS.

       (a) In General.--Section 922 of title 18, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(aa)(1)(A) It shall be unlawful for any person who is not 
     a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed 
     dealer to transfer a firearm to any other person who is not 
     so licensed, unless a licensed importer, licensed 
     manufacturer, or licensed dealer has first taken possession 
     of the firearm for the purpose of complying with subsection 
     (t).
       ``(B) Upon taking possession of a firearm under 
     subparagraph (A), a licensee shall comply with all 
     requirements of this chapter as if the licensee were 
     transferring the firearm from the inventory of the licensee 
     to the unlicensed transferee.

[[Page H1287]]

       ``(C) If a transfer of a firearm described in subparagraph 
     (A) will not be completed for any reason after a licensee 
     takes possession of the firearm (including because the 
     transfer of the firearm to, or receipt of the firearm by, the 
     transferee would violate this chapter), the return of the 
     firearm to the transferor by the licensee shall not 
     constitute the transfer of a firearm for purposes of this 
     chapter.
       ``(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to--
       ``(A) a law enforcement agency or any law enforcement 
     officer, armed private security professional, or member of 
     the armed forces, to the extent the officer, professional, or 
     member is acting within the course and scope of employment 
     and official duties;
       ``(B) a transfer that is a loan or bona fide gift between 
     spouses, between domestic partners, between parents and their 
     children, including step-parents and their step-children, 
     between siblings, between aunts or uncles and their nieces or 
     nephews, or between grandparents and their grandchildren, if 
     the transferor has no reason to believe that the transferee 
     will use or intends to use the firearm in a crime or is 
     prohibited from possessing firearms under State or Federal 
     law;
       ``(C) a transfer to an executor, administrator, trustee, or 
     personal representative of an estate or a trust that occurs 
     by operation of law upon the death of another person;
       ``(D) a temporary transfer that is necessary to prevent 
     imminent death or great bodily harm, including harm to self, 
     family, household members, or others, if the possession by 
     the transferee lasts only as long as immediately necessary to 
     prevent the imminent death or great bodily harm, including 
     the harm of domestic violence, dating partner violence, 
     sexual assault, stalking, and domestic abuse;
       ``(E) a transfer that is approved by the Attorney General 
     under section 5812 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or
       ``(F) a temporary transfer if the transferor has no reason 
     to believe that the transferee will use or intends to use the 
     firearm in a crime or is prohibited from possessing firearms 
     under State or Federal law, and the transfer takes place and 
     the transferee's possession of the firearm is exclusively--
       ``(i) at a shooting range or in a shooting gallery or other 
     area designated for the purpose of target shooting;
       ``(ii) while reasonably necessary for the purposes of 
     hunting, trapping, or fishing, if the transferor--
       ``(I) has no reason to believe that the transferee intends 
     to use the firearm in a place where it is illegal; and
       ``(II) has reason to believe that the transferee will 
     comply with all licensing and permit requirements for such 
     hunting, trapping, or fishing; or
       ``(iii) while in the presence of the transferor.
       ``(3) It shall be unlawful for a licensed importer, 
     licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer to transfer 
     possession of, or title to, a firearm to another person who 
     is not so licensed unless the importer, manufacturer, or 
     dealer has provided such other person with a notice of the 
     prohibition under paragraph (1), and such other person has 
     certified that such other person has been provided with this 
     notice on a form prescribed by the Attorney General.''.
       (b) Amendment to Section 924(a).--Section 924(a)(5) of 
     title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking ``(s) or 
     (t)'' and inserting ``(s), (t), or (aa)''.
       (c) Rules of Interpretation.--Nothing in this Act, or any 
     amendment made by this Act, shall be construed to--
       (1) authorize the establishment, directly or indirectly, of 
     a national firearms registry; or
       (2) interfere with the authority of a State, under section 
     927 of title 18, United States Code, to enact a law on the 
     same subject matter as this Act.
       (d) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsections (a) 
     and (b) shall take effect 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The bill shall be debatable for 1 hour, 
equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member 
of the Committee on the Judiciary.
  The gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler) and the gentleman from Ohio 
(Mr. Jordan) each will control 30 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.

                              {time}  1415


                             General Leave

  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
insert extraneous material on H.R. 8.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, gun violence impacts all of our communities, and no 
place is immune from its reach, including our homes, our streets, our 
schools, and even our places of worship. That is why we must take swift 
and decisive action to reduce the daily toll of gun violence that 
afflicts our Nation. H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 
2021 is sensible and effective legislation to do just that.
  Under current law, gun sales conducted by licensed firearms dealers 
may only be completed if the buyers clear background checks. This bill 
would simply extend that requirement, with limited exceptions, to guns 
transferred by unlicensed individuals as well. That simple change to 
close a gaping loophole in the law is one of the most effective steps 
we can take to address the scourge of gun violence in this country.
  According to one study, 22 percent of gun owners in the U.S. acquired 
their most recent firearm without a background check. We do not know if 
they were felons, fugitives, domestic abusers, or otherwise prohibited 
under the law from possessing firearms. A huge volume of guns was sold 
with no questions asked. It is time to close this dangerous loophole.
  There is no reason to continue to make it easy for people who are 
legally prohibited from possessing firearms to acquire them. The 
evidence clearly shows that background checks work and significantly 
curb gun violence. One study found that a Connecticut law requiring 
background checks was associated with a 40 percent decline in gun 
homicides and a 15 percent drop in suicides. On the other hand, when 
Missouri repealed its background check law, the State's gun homicides 
increased by 23 percent and suicides increased by 16 percent.
  Gun violence of this magnitude is a distinctly American problem. A 
recent study in the American Journal of Medicine found that compared to 
29 other high-income countries, the gun-related murder rate in the 
United States is 25 times higher. Even when you adjust for population 
differences, Americans are disproportionately killed by gun violence. 
This is a disparity that we can remedy by passing this bill.
  With the exception of certain limited transfers, such as gifts to 
family members and transfers for hunting, target shooting, and self-
defense, H.R. 8 would extend the current Federal background check 
requirement--which applies now only to licensed gun dealers--and would 
require virtually all transactions to undergo a background check to 
help ensure that firearms do not end up in the wrong hands.
  I thank Representative   Mike Thompson of California for drafting 
this important legislation and for being a champion of gun violence 
prevention in Congress.
  Simply put, H.R. 8 will save lives. I urge my colleagues to support 
this legislation and to support safer streets, safer schools, and safer 
communities.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Massie), the co-chair of the Second 
Amendment Caucus.
  Mr. MASSIE. Mr. Speaker, Democrats today want to introduce gun 
control legislation that they say is going to make you safer. They want 
to expand background checks.
  But what do background checks accomplish?
  Well, the DOJ said there were 112,000 denials in a year.
  Who were those 112,000 people?
  Well, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle would have you 
think those were felons, they saved you from those felons.
  But how many of those 112,000 were prosecuted for that crime of 
trying to acquire that gun?
  According to the DOJ, 12--1-2--12 in a year.
  Who were the other 100,000?
  Imagine, just imagine now that you are the victim of an abusive 
relationship and after 5 years you have summoned the courage and the 
resources to separate from that relationship, but things have escalated 
and now you have decided that it is time to acquire the means to 
protect you and your children. So you go to the gun store and you try 
to buy a gun. The clerk presses the computer button, and it says 
``denied.''
  You ask the clerk, ``Why was it denied?''
  The clerk says, ``I don't know. This happens sometimes. Maybe you had 
a similar name to somebody else in the database.''
  You can't buy a gun today, tomorrow, next week. Not ever. You have

[[Page H1288]]

been denied. So you go to a friend you have known for a long time. Your 
friend says, ``I would like to help you.''
  You say, ``Well, I don't know if I am going to make it through the 
night.''
  Your friend says, ``I would like to help you, but don't you know H.R. 
8 passed and it was signed by the President. I can't spend a year in a 
cage. Good luck tonight.''
  Mr. Speaker, now, I am not going to ask you to imagine what happens 
next because the Democrats saw fit to put into this bill a requirement 
that you have an imminent threat of death. The threat has to be right 
there upon you or great bodily harm.
  What do they say?
  Well, if you are just expecting a few bruises and maybe a punch, put 
some ice on it.
  Mr. Speaker, I am going to ask my colleagues here today and I am 
going to challenge the sponsors of this bill and those of them who 
might think they would vote for this bill to consider whether it is 
fair.
  Is it fair to surround yourself with armed guards, with Capitol Hill 
Police who have guns, with personal details, bodyguards, and ask the 
people to pay for it when you make it harder for those same people to 
protect themselves?
  I don't think that is fair.
  And for the fact checkers who are already hard at work on this 
speech, I include in the Record this GAO report on the DOJ statistics 
on background checks.

 [From the United States Government Accountability Office, Sept. 2018]

   Report to the Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, 
 Science, and Related Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, House of 
                            Representatives

    Law Enforcement--Few Individuals Denied Firearms Purchases Are 
  Prosecuted and ATF Should Assess Use of Warning Notices in Lieu of 
                              Prosecutions


                         why gao did this study

       In 2017, approximately 25.6 million firearm-related 
     background checks were processed through NICS, and about 
     181,000 of the attempted purchases at the federal and state 
     levels combined were denied because the individual was 
     prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal or state 
     law. Individuals who certify that they are not prohibited 
     from purchasing or receiving a firearm and are subsequently 
     determined to be prohibited could be subject to 
     investigation, and if prosecuted, a fine, imprisonment, or 
     both.
       GAO was asked to examine firearms denials. This report (1) 
     describes the extent to which federal and selected state law 
     enforcement agencies investigate and prosecute firearms 
     denial cases; (2) examines related challenges faced by these 
     agencies; and (3) describes the circumstances that lead to 
     investigations and prosecutions. GAO reviewed laws and 
     regulations; analyzed federal and state data from 2011 
     through 2017; and interviewed officials from ATF 
     headquarters, 6 of 25 ATF field divisions (the 6 that 
     investigated the most cases), and the 13 states that process 
     all NICS checks within their state. Results from state 
     interviews are not generalizable but provide insights on 
     state practices.


                          what gao recommends

       GAO recommends that ATF assess the extent to which ATF 
     field divisions use warning notifications as an enforcement 
     tool, which would inform whether changes to policy are 
     needed. DOJ concurred with GAO's recommendation.


                             what gao found

       Investigations and prosecutions. Federal and selected state 
     law enforcement agencies that process firearm-related 
     background checks through the National Instant Criminal 
     Background Check System (NICS) collectively investigate and 
     prosecute a small percentage of individuals who falsify 
     information on a firearms form (e.g., do not disclose a 
     felony conviction) and are denied a purchase. Federal NICS 
     checks resulted in about 112,000 denied transactions in 
     fiscal year) 2017, of which the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, 
     Firearms and Explosives (ATF) referred about 12,700 to its 
     field divisions for further investigation. U.S. Attorney's 
     Offices (USAO) had prosecuted 12 of these cases as of 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 selected states 
     said they did not investigate or prosecute firearm denials, 
     some citing competing resource demands and the lack of 
     statutes with which states prosecute as reasons. The 
     remaining 3 states investigated a high proportion of firearms 
     denials. One of the 3 states reported about 1,900 referrals 
     for prosecution in 2017 and about 470 convictions.
       Challenges. ATF and selected states reported challenges in 
     investigating and prosecuting firearms denials. Officials 
     from six selected ATF field divisions said that investigating 
     the increasing number of denial cases referred to field 
     divisions--which increased from about 5,200 in fiscal year 
     2011 to about 12,700 in fiscal year 2017--has been time 
     intensive and required use of their limited resources. ATF 
     policy provides that field divisions may send ``warning 
     notices'' to denied persons in lieu of prosecution, but ATF 
     has not assessed field divisions' use of these notices, which 
     could provide greater awareness of their deterrence value and 
     inform whether any policy changes are needed. Officials from 
     the Executive Office for United States Attorneys said that 
     prosecuting denial cases can require significant effort and 
     may offer little value to public safety compared to other 
     cases involving gun violence. Selected state officials said 
     that denial investigations can take law enforcement officials 
     away from their core duties. State prosecutors said gathering 
     evidence to prove individuals knew they were prohibited was a 
     challenge.
       Types of cases. ATF field divisions investigate denial 
     cases based on USAO criteria and generally only refer cases 
     to USAOs for prosecution when aggravating circumstances 
     exist, such as violent felonies or multiple serious offenses 
     over a short period of time. Officials from two of three 
     selected states refer all denial cases for investigation, 
     while one state uses risk-based criteria for selecting cases 
     that include conditions such as felony convictions and 
     misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence. Prosecutors from 
     these three states said they generally pursue cases that 
     involve indications of violence, though individual 
     prosecutors had differing priorities based on public safety 
     concerns.

  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the distinguished majority leader of the House.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, well, that is an interesting speech to 
follow. Mr. Massie was very energized. I haven't seen, of course, that 
which he submitted for the Record, but 90 percent of America thinks 
this bill makes sense, 90 percent. Take your own polls. Poll after poll 
after poll shows overwhelming support of this legislation because it is 
common sense. It is common sense that you want to assure the community 
that those who buy weapons that can be used with deadly force, as the 
gentleman just indicated, are not a danger to themselves or to others.
  Mr. Speaker, according to the database from the Associated Press, USA 
Today, and Northeastern University that tracks mass shootings, which 
they define as four or more victims, not including the shooter, 2020 
was a standout year. After years of setting new records for mass 
shootings, 2019 had the highest number recorded, 33 mass shootings in 
one year. But in 2020, there were only two mass shootings: one in 
February and another in early March.
  Of course, Mr. Speaker, those numbers don't count the hundreds of 
shootings each year in which there are fewer than four victims, with 
tens of thousands killed or maimed by gun violence annually. The 
contrast in the number of mass shootings from 2019 to 2020 is stark.
  Mr. Speaker, I don't have to explain to my colleagues why mass 
shootings suddenly came to a halt last year, but it shouldn't take a 
deadly viral pandemic--which took us out of group meetings, which took 
us off the streets, which kept us at home--to stop a deadly epidemic of 
gun violence.
  With the arrival of vaccines and passage of President Biden's plan to 
help make it safe to reopen businesses and schools, we will soon be 
gathering in groups once more, but nobody wants to see a return to mass 
shootings, Mr. Speaker. Nobody wants to see a return to deadly school 
shootings that terrorize America's students.
  We shouldn't need a pandemic to reduce gun violence in this country. 
The way to do that ought to be through passing commonsense gun safety 
legislation through Congress to make it harder for deadly firearms to 
get into the hands of those who cannot bear them responsibly. That is 
what H.R. 8,

[[Page H1289]]

the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, would do.
  Nine out of 10 Americans support the reforms in this bill. Now, I 
know I have seen some people, Mr. Speaker, shake their head, no, no, 
that is not the case. Show me a poll that has less than 80 percent of 
Americans thinking that terrorists should not be able to buy guns, that 
felons should not be able to buy guns, that domestic abusers should not 
buy guns, particularly in an accelerated way. You get mad at a partner, 
you get mad at a girlfriend, a boyfriend, whatever, go down to the 
store, boy, get a gun, bang.
  It is one thing to have a thoughtful purchase: I want to have a 
hunting gun; I want to have a handgun for target practice; I want a 
handgun for safety in my home, in my business, in my car. But if you 
are a person who has shown that you are not somebody who is a 
responsible person--sort of like driving a car, if you are not 
responsible, you are a reckless driver and you have been guilty of 
manslaughter by automobile or something of that nature--people have a 
right to know that what you do is going to be not a danger to them.
  This is one of the greatest examples of legislation that truly 
reflects the will of the American people. That is why I hope we can 
come together to pass it with bipartisan support. I don't know that 
that is going to be the case. But if it is not the case, it will not 
reflect the will of the American people who would like to see this on a 
bipartisan basis. Republicans and Democrats polled support this 
legislation.
  Now, if somebody wants to show me a poll that says, no, that is not 
the case, that is one thing, but I haven't seen a poll that doesn't 
reflect that. Just as I believe we ought to do this week with 
Representative Clyburn's bill as well, which could close the loophole 
that contributed to the reprehensible and racially motivated mass 
shooting at the Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South 
Carolina, in 2015. Nine people in church slain by somebody who got a 
gun; who, if the report had come back in a timely fashion, wouldn't 
have been able to get that gun.
  I hope that Senate Republicans will not filibuster this bill. At some 
point in time the majority ought to rule.
  Now, the Second Amendment correctly protects gun ownership. I don't 
have an argument with that. But the Supreme Court itself said that 
there could be responsible restraints and items for protection 
consistent with that amendment. That is what this bill does.
  I hope our friends will listen to the voices of parents, children, 
siblings, spouses, neighbors, and friends of those who were killed by 
gun violence in recent years; and I hope they will remember the names 
that bring tears to many eyes and pain in so many hearts. Parkland. 
Some believe Parkland didn't happen. They are wrong, of course. Sandy 
Hook; Charleston; Las Vegas; Orlando; Pittsburgh; Annapolis; San 
Bernardino; Washington Navy Yard, just a few blocks from here; Oak 
Creek; Tucson; Virginia Tech; and the list could go on and on and on.
  I say to the ladies and gentlemen of the House, let's not add more 
names to this register of grief. Let's not rely on a pandemic to do 
what we ought to have done so long ago. Let's pass these bills and 
reduce gun violence the right way, with our votes.
  Is this a perfect bill? Will it establish or accomplish the absolute 
safety?
  It will not, but what 90 percent of Americans say is that it is a 
step in the right direction.
  Mr. Speaker, let us take that step.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, no, it doesn't. The previous speaker said 
when this bill becomes law, it will stop some of the mass shootings--
all of the mass shootings that happen in this country. No, it won't. 
Nothing in this bill would prohibit, would have stopped any of those 
terrible things that took place.
  What this bill does is stop law-abiding citizens from exercising 
their Second Amendment liberties, just as the gentleman from Kentucky 
mentioned a few minutes ago.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. 
Spartz).

                              {time}  1430

  Mrs. SPARTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 8. A major 
reason our Founding Fathers drafted the Second Amendment is to have a 
check and balance for the people against the tyranny of government. It 
is the Second Amendment for a reason, not the Ninth or the Tenth. You 
must have the Second to protect the First.
  The first action by history's dictators--and we know all of them--was 
to take guns from law-abiding citizens. We must remember that there is 
no law that stops criminals from getting guns and committing crimes. We 
would have empty prisons otherwise.
  As someone who grew up under a tyrannical government, I value these 
rights tremendously, and I encourage my colleagues to be vigilant and 
protect these rights for all law-abiding citizens.
  I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson), the sponsor of this bill.
  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, every day 30 people are 
killed by someone using a gun. That number jumps to 100 if you factor 
in accidents and suicides involving guns. The steady stream of gun 
violence devastates families, communities, and schools.
  Gun violence costs our country $280 billion every year. This status 
quo is not okay.
  Our constituents know it, and they support H.R. 8 overwhelmingly.
  The Special Order last night on H.R. 8 was another low point for 
decorum in the House. To be generous, it was an embarrassing display 
and a complete misrepresentation of the facts.
  Viewers were told that the bill would create a Federal gun registry. 
Wrong. Read page 5, line 18. H.R. 8 prohibits any registry.
  They were told you can't give a gun to a family member. Wrong. Read 
page 3, line 7. You can.
  They were told that you can't transfer a gun if someone was suicidal 
or needed it for protection to address a self-defense situation. Wrong. 
Read page 3, line 21. You can.
  They were told that you can't lend a gun to a friend to go hunting. 
Wrong. Read page 4, line 16. You can.
  What the bill does do is close the private gun sale loophole, which 
has made it easy for felons and other prohibited purchasers to buy a 
gun online, at gun shows, or in person-to-person sales.
  We know universal background checks work. Every day they stop some 
160 felons and some 50 domestic abusers from buying a gun. Every day.
  But without universal background checks, these people can take their 
business elsewhere, to someone without a Federal firearms license and 
buy the same gun.
  I have personally filled out the 4473 form required to buy a gun from 
a licensed dealer. I have done it many times. It is something that 
every responsible gun owner should be able to live with. Heck, they 
should welcome it because it helps stop dangerous individuals from 
getting a gun.
  In 90 percent of the cases, background checks are completed within 
minutes.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that these letters that I have from dozens of gun 
violence prevention groups, healthcare workers, law enforcement, and 
others be included in the Record.

                                                    March 5, 2021.
     Hon. Chuck Schumer,
     Majority Leader, U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
     Speaker, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Mitch McConnell,
     Minority Leader, U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Kevin McCarthy,
     Republican Leader, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Majority Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Speaker 
     Pelosi, and Leader McCarthy: We write to you in support of 
     H.R. 8/S. 529 the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and H.R. 
     1446/S. 591 the Enhanced Background Checks Act. As gun 
     owners, we understand that responsible gun ownership starts 
     with background check. Loopholes in federal law have 
     perpetuated the gun violence crisis in our country, including 
     those in our background checks system. Congress must enact 
     meaningful legislation to reduce gun violence. The Bipartisan 
     Background Checks Act would close one such loophole by 
     ensuring that a background check happens on every firearms 
     sale.
       Since 1993, the National Instant Criminal Background Check 
     System (NICS) has conducted firearm background checks on gun

[[Page H1290]]

     purchasers. Federally licensed dealers must run a check 
     through NICS to determine whether a potential buyer is 
     prohibited from purchasing firearms. If information in NICS 
     shows that a person is indeed prohibited, the dealer must 
     deny the sale.
       However, no background check is required for sales at gun 
     shows, through online marketplaces, or between private 
     individuals. Individuals who would otherwise be prohibited 
     from purchasing or possessing a gun can easily buy guns 
     through such unregulated sales. And the frequency of these 
     unregulated sales is growing: recent studies indicate that 
     approximately 22 percent of firearms are purchased without a 
     background check, up to 80% of firearms used in crimes are 
     obtained without a background check.
       H.R. 8/S.B. 529 the Bipartisan Background Checks Act/
     Background Check Expansion Act would require a background 
     check on every sale, ensuring that people prohibited from 
     purchasing firearms cannot exploit loopholes and purchase 
     guns through an unregulated sale at a gun show, online, or 
     from an unlicensed private seller. In addition, individuals 
     would no longer be able to cross state lines solely to 
     purchase a firearm in a state with less stringent background 
     checks. Closing these background check loopholes is critical 
     to reducing gun violence throughout the United States.
       Additionally, H.R. 1446/S. 591 the Enhanced Background 
     Checks Act/Background Check Completion Act would provide the 
     FBI more time to complete background checks and ensure that 
     people prohibited from possessing firearms are not able to 
     obtain them by default because of an incomplete background 
     check. This deadly loophole in existing law was exploited by 
     a white supremacist who killed nine people at the Mother 
     Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
       As responsible gun owners, we urge you to consider this 
     legislation which would help keep our communities safe. Our 
     support for universal background checks stems from our desire 
     to protect the Second Amendment rights of law abiding 
     citizens while maintaining checks and balances to keep 
     communities safe.
       We urge you to pass H.R. 8/S. 529 the Bipartisan Background 
     Checks Act/Background Check Expansion Act and H.R. 1446/S. 
     591 the Enhanced Background Checks Act/Background Check 
     Completion Act, as soon as possible.
           Sincerely,
     Giffords Gun Owners for Safety.
                                  ____

                                                    Gun Owners for


                                        Responsible Ownership,

                                    Lake Grove, OR, March 5, 2021.
     Hon. Chuck Schumer,
     Majority Leader,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
     Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
     Speaker, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Mitch McConnell,
     Minority Leader,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
     Hon. Kevin McCarthy,
     Republican Leader,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Majority Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Speaker 
     Pelosi, and Leader McCarthy: We are gun owners, outdoors 
     enthusiasts, and veterans who seek reasonable and responsible 
     solutions to preventing gun violence. We believe our Second 
     Amendment rights come with responsibilities. We also believe 
     in common-sense efforts to reduce gun violence and promote 
     gun safety across the country, including universal background 
     checks and safe and secure storage of firearms.
       H.R. 8 / S. 529 the Bipartisan Background Checks Act / 
     Background Check Expansion Act would require a background 
     check on every sale, ensuring that people prohibited from 
     purchasing firearms cannot exploit loopholes and purchase 
     guns through an unregulated sale at a gun show, on line, or 
     from an unlicensed seller. In addition, individuals would no 
     longer be able to cross state lines solely to purchase a 
     firearm in a state with less stringent background checks. 
     Closing these background check loopholes is critical to 
     reducing gun violence throughout the United States.
       Additionally, H.R. 1446 / S. 591 the Enhanced Background 
     Checks Act / Background Check Completion Act would provide 
     the FBI more time to complete background checks and ensure 
     that people prohibited from possessing firearms are not able 
     to obtain them by default because of an incomplete background 
     check. This deadly loophole in existing law was exploited by 
     a white supremacist who killed nine people at the Mother 
     Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
       Oregon adopted universal background checks in 2015 which we 
     strongly supported. However, our citizens are still 
     vulnerable to the importation of firearms from states with 
     less stringent laws. We need federal legislation that will 
     apply to all.
       We urge you to pass H.R. 8 / S. 529 the Bipartisan 
     Background Checks Act / Background Check Expansion Act and 
     H.R.1446 / S. 591 the Enhanced Background Checks Act / 
     Background Check Completion Act, as soon as possible.
           Sincerely,
                                                        Paul Kemp,
     President.
                                  ____

                                                  States United To


                                         Prevent Gun Violence,

                                                    March 5, 2021.
     Hon. Chuck Schumer,
     Majority Leader, U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
     Speaker, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Mitch McConnell,
     Minority Leader, U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Kevin McCarthy,
     Republican Leader,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Majority Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Speaker 
     Pelosi, and Leader McCarthy: States United to Prevent Gun 
     Violence is a group of 32 state affiliates across the United 
     States that work on Gun Violence Prevention. We come from all 
     areas of this country. Urban, rural, and, suburban. We 
     believe that gun violence is a public health problem, and, 
     that the legislation proposed will prevent many communities 
     from suffering the trauma of gun violence.
       Since 1993, the National Instant Criminal Background Check 
     System (NICS) has conducted firearm background checks on gun 
     purchasers. Federally licensed dealers must run a check 
     through NICS to determine whether a potential buyer is 
     prohibited from purchasing firearms. If information in NICS 
     shows that a person is indeed prohibited, the dealer must 
     deny the sale.
       However, there is a loophole in federal law and no 
     background check is required for sales at gun shows, through 
     online marketplaces, or between private individuals. 
     Individuals who would otherwise be prohibited from purchasing 
     or possessing a gun can easily buy guns through such 
     unregulated sales. And the frequency of these unregulated 
     sales is concerning: recent studies indicate that 
     approximately 22 percent of firearms are purchased without a 
     background check, and up to 80% of firearms used in crimes 
     are obtained without a background check.
       H.R. 8 / S. 529 the Bipartisan Background Checks Act / 
     Background Check Expansion Act would require a background 
     check on every sale, ensuring that people prohibited from 
     purchasing firearms cannot exploit loopholes and purchase 
     guns through an unregulated sale at a gun show, online, or 
     from an unlicensed seller. In addition, individuals would no 
     longer be able to cross state lines solely to purchase a 
     firearm in a state with less stringent background checks. 
     Closing these background check loopholes is critical to 
     reducing gun violence throughout the United States.
       Additionally, H.R. 1446 / S. S. 591 the Enhanced Background 
     Checks Act / Background Check Completion Act would provide 
     the FBI more time to complete background checks and ensure 
     that people prohibited from possessing firearms are not able 
     to obtain them by default because of an incomplete background 
     check. This deadly loophole in existing law was exploited by 
     a white supremacist who killed nine people at the Mother 
     Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
       We know that in many of our states we have not been able to 
     pass any form of gun Violence Prevention Bills. If passed 
     these Bills would bring immediate relief to all Americans 
     from most forms of gun Violence.
       We urge you to pass H.R. 8 / S. 529 the Bipartisan 
     Background Checks Act / Background Check Expansion Act and 
     H.R. 1446 / S. 591 the Enhanced Background Checks Act / 
     Background Check Completion Act, as soon as possible.
           Sincerely,

                                          Clai Lasher-Sommers,

                                               Executive Director,
     States United to Prevent Gun Violence.
                                  ____



                              Major Cities Chiefs Association,

                                                    March 5, 2021.
     Hon. Chuck Schumer,
     Majority Leader, U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
     Speaker, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Mitch McConnell,
     Minority Leader, U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Kevin McCarthy,
     Republican Leader, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Majority Leader Schumer, Minority Leader McConnell, 
     Speaker Pelosi, and Republican Leader McCarthy: I'm writing 
     on behalf of the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA), a 
     professional organization of police executives representing 
     the largest cities in the United States and Canada. The MCCA 
     strongly supports H.R. 8/S.B. 529, the Bipartisan Background 
     Checks Act of 2021/Background Check Expansion Act. The 
     Association has been a strong advocate for sensible gun 
     policy for many years. Instituting universal background 
     checks is a core tenant of the MCCA's Firearms Violence 
     Policy, which our membership approved in 2018.
       Since 1993, the National Instant Criminal Background Check 
     System (NICS) has conducted firearm background checks on gun 
     purchasers. Federally licensed dealers must run a check 
     through NICS to determine whether a potential buyer is 
     prohibited from purchasing firearms. If information in NICS 
     shows that a person is indeed prohibited, the dealer must 
     deny the sale. However, there is a loophole in federal law, 
     and no background check is required for sales at gun shows, 
     through online marketplaces, or between private individuals. 
     Individuals who would otherwise be prohibited from purchasing 
     or possessing a gun can easily buy guns through such 
     unregulated sales.
       H.R. 8/S.B. 529 would require a background check on every 
     sale, ensuring that people

[[Page H1291]]

     prohibited from purchasing firearms cannot exploit loopholes 
     and purchase guns through an unregulated sale at a gun show, 
     online, or from an unlicensed seller. In addition, 
     individuals would no longer be able to cross state lines 
     solely to purchase a firearm in a state with less stringent 
     background checks. Closing these background check loopholes 
     is critical to reducing gun violence throughout the United 
     States.
       Many MCCA members are experiencing a significant uptick in 
     gun violence in their cities. The MCCA's most recent Violent 
     Crime Survey, which showed a nationwide rise in both 
     homicides and aggravated assaults in 2020, supports these 
     reports. Ensuring background checks for all gun sales and 
     transfers will save lives by helping keep firearms out of the 
     hands of those who are not permitted to have them under the 
     law. It will also be a critical step in combatting the 
     epidemic of gun violence currently plaguing our country.
       Gun violence is more than just a public safety issue; it's 
     an officer safety issue as well. MCCA members, and law 
     enforcement agencies all across the country, have had far too 
     many officers killed or wounded in the line of duty by 
     individuals who should have been prohibited from purchasing a 
     firearm. We must enact policies at the national level to help 
     ensure these brave men and women return home safely after 
     their shifts.
       The MCCA urges Congress to pass H.R. 8/S.B. 529, the 
     Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021 /Background Check 
     Expansion Act, as soon as possible. Please do not hesitate to 
     contact me if the MCCA can be of any assistance.
           Sincerely,

                                            Chief Art Acevedo,

                                 Chief, Houston Police Department,
     President, Major Cities Chiefs Association.
                                  ____

                                                    March 3, 2021.
     Hon. Chuck Schumer,
     Majority Leader, U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
     Speaker, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Mitch McConnell,
     Minority Leader, U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Kevin McCarthy,
     Republican Leader, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Majority Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Speaker 
     Pelosi, and Leader McCarthy: We write to you in support of 
     H.R. 8/S. 529 the Bipartisan Background Checks Act. As 
     physicians, we believe that gun violence and its associated 
     traumas are a public health crisis, and that Congress must 
     enact meaningful legislation to help reduce gun violence in 
     our communities. In 2019, 39,707 people died from gun 
     violence. Tragically, the pandemic and resulting economic 
     fallout may further exacerbate this public health crisis. 
     Experts have suggested that the pandemic may drive increases 
     in suicides, domestic violence, and community violence in the 
     coming years. Several loopholes in federal law--and the 
     background check system in particular--are not sufficient to 
     prevent individuals who are ineligible to own a firearm from 
     purchasing one. The Bipartisan Background Checks Act would 
     enact universal background checks, closing these dangerous 
     loopholes by ensuring that a background check happens on 
     every firearms sale.
       The American Medical Women's Association has been the voice 
     and vision of women in medicine since 1915. Time and time 
     again, AMWA, as an organization, stands to decrease the 
     burden of gun related fatalities and violence. AMWA 
     acknowledges gun violence for what it really is: a deadly 
     epidemic resulting in substantial morbidity and mortality for 
     our patients.
       Since 1993, the National Instant Criminal Background Check 
     System (NICS) has conducted firearm background checks on gun 
     purchasers. Federally licensed dealers must run a check 
     through NICS to determine whether a potential buyer is 
     prohibited from purchasing firearms. If information in NICS 
     shows that a person is indeed prohibited, the dealer must 
     deny the sale.
       However, no background check is required for sales at gun 
     shows, through online marketplaces, or between private 
     individuals. Individuals who would otherwise be prohibited 
     from purchasing or possessing a gun can easily buy guns 
     through such unregulated sales. And the frequency of these 
     unregulated sales is concerning: recent studies indicate that 
     approximately 22 percent of firearms are purchased without a 
     background check, up to 80% of firearms used in crimes are 
     obtained without a background check.
       H.R. 8/S. 529 the Bipartisan Background Checks Act/
     Background Check Expansion Act would require a background 
     check on every sale, ensuring that people prohibited from 
     purchasing firearms cannot exploit loopholes and purchase 
     guns through an unregulated sale at a gun show, online, or 
     from an unlicensed seller. In addition, individuals would no 
     longer be able to cross state lines solely to purchase a 
     firearm in a state with less stringent background checks.
       Too often, our patients and our communities bear witness to 
     the terrible tragedies that occur when people use guns to 
     harm themselves or others. Gun violence is a complex public 
     health issue that will require a comprehensive solution; 
     enacting universal background checks is an important first 
     step. Our support for universal background checks comes from 
     our desire to save lives and protect our patients.
       We urge you to pass H.R. 8/S. 529 the Bipartisan Background 
     Checks Act/Background Check Expansion Act, as soon as 
     possible.
           Sincerely,

                                 Theresa Rohr-Kirchgraber, MD,

                                                      FACP, FAMWA,
     Chair, Advocacy Committee AMWA.
                                  ____

       Members of the 117th Congress: We, the undersigned 
     organizations, strongly urge you to cosponsor and quickly 
     pass H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Check Act, and S. 529, 
     the Background Check Expansion Act, to expand Brady 
     Background Checks to cover all firearm transactions, as well 
     as H.R. 1446, the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021, to 
     close a dangerous gap in law that allows thousands of 
     prohibited individuals to purchase firearms every year.
       Since the Brady Law was enacted in 1994, more than 3.5 
     million prohibited firearm transactions have been prevented. 
     In 2015 alone, an average of 619 individuals per day were 
     deemed by law to be too dangerous to possess a firearm and 
     were blocked by the system.
       Background checks are conclusively effective and have saved 
     countless lives. However, because only federally licensed 
     firearms dealers are required to conduct these checks, an 
     estimated one in five gun sales or transfers--those conducted 
     by private sellers, including sales online and at gun shows--
     are completed without a background check. Without background 
     checks it is almost impossible to keep guns out of the hands 
     of prohibited individuals or to hold illegal gun dealers 
     accountable.
       H.R. 8 and S. 529 will make us all safer by requiring a 
     background check for virtually every firearm sale and 
     transfer. The bills include narrow, reasonable exceptions 
     like transfers among close family members and short-term gun 
     loans among hunters and sport shooters. The legislation does 
     nothing to impede lawful gun purchases, while closing off a 
     wide and well-known avenue for illegal transactions by 
     prohibited, and often dangerous, buyers. It is past time to 
     expand lifesaving background checks to every gun sale, and 
     the public agrees: more than 90 percent of Americans, 
     including large majorities of gun owners, support universal 
     background checks.
       Likewise, it has been over five years since a prohibited 
     person massacred nine parishioners at the Emanuel AME Church 
     in Charleston, South Carolina, with a gun purchased at a 
     licensed firearms dealer and it is far past time for Congress 
     to take action to fix this gap in law.
       Under current law, a licensed dealer may transfer a gun to 
     a buyer after three business days even if the background 
     check has yet to determine whether that buyer is legally 
     eligible to purchase a gun, now known commonly as the 
     ``Charleston Loophole.'' According to FBI data, thousands of 
     guns are sold each year through this loophole to individuals 
     who are prohibited from possessing firearms--over 43,000 
     since 2008. In the last decade an average of 10 prohibited 
     individuals have been able to purchase guns at licensed 
     firearms dealers through the Charleston Loophole every single 
     day.
       H.R. 1446 will prevent the sale of firearms to prohibited 
     individuals by providing the FBI with additional time to 
     complete background checks--allowing the system to better 
     focus its resources and efforts, and provide accurate 
     dispositions to federally licensed firearms dealers. This 
     legislation will have a tremendous impact on public safety 
     while ensuring that lawful gun owners are not subject to 
     indefinite bureaucratic delay.
       We urge you to act quickly to pass these life-saving pieces 
     of legislation.
           Sincerely,
       American Federation of Teachers (AFT), American Medical 
     Student Association (AMSA), American Public Health 
     Association (APHA), Amnesty International, Bishops United 
     Against Gun Violence, Brady, Children's Defense Fund (CDF), 
     Docs Demand Action, Doctors for America (DFA), End Citizens 
     United (ECU), Friends Committee on National Legislation 
     (FCNL), Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA), MomsRising.
       National Association of Social Workers (NASW), National 
     Education Association (NEA), National Network of Public 
     Health Institutes (NNPHI), National Organization of Black 
     Law, Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), National PTA, Physicians 
     for Social Responsibility (PSR), Public Citizen, Team Enough, 
     The King Center, This Is Our Lane, Union for Reform Judaism 
     (URJ), U.S. Conference of Mayors, VoteVets.
                                  ____



                                   National Police Foundation,

                                                    March 5, 2021.
     Hon. Chuck Schumer,
     Majority Leader, U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
     Speaker, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Mitch McConnell,
     Minority Leader. U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Kevin McCarthy,
     Republican Leader, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Majority Leader McConnell, Leader Schumer, Speaker 
     Pelosi, and Leader McCarthy: The National Police Foundation 
     is an independent and nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization 
     dedicated to advancing American policing through science and 
     innovation. For many years, the Foundation has

[[Page H1292]]

     advocated strongly for and continues to support common sense 
     responses to America's gun violence problem. Addressing and 
     strengthening our system of background checks is long overdue 
     and it is my belief that H.R. 8/S.B. 529 can address these 
     issues and is worthy of full consideration.
       Since 1993, the National Instant Criminal Background Check 
     System (NICS) has conducted firearm background checks on gun 
     purchasers. Federally licensed dealers must run a check 
     through NICS to determine whether a potential buyer is 
     prohibited from purchasing firearms. If information in NICS 
     shows that a person is indeed prohibited, the dealer must 
     deny the sale.
       However, there is a loophole in federal law and no 
     background check is required for sales at gun shows, through 
     online marketplaces, or between private individuals. 
     Individuals who would otherwise be prohibited from purchasing 
     or possessing a gun can easily buy guns through such 
     unregulated sales. And the frequency of these unregulated 
     sales is concerning: recent studies indicate that 
     approximately 22 percent of firearms are purchased without a 
     background check, and up to 80 of firearms used in crimes are 
     obtained without a background check.
       H.R. 8/S.B. 529 the Bipartisan Background Checks Act/
     Background Check Expansion Act would require a background 
     check on every sale, ensuring that people prohibited from 
     purchasing firearms cannot exploit loopholes and purchase 
     guns through an unregulated sale at a gun show, online, or 
     from an unlicensed seller. In addition, individuals would no 
     longer be able to cross state lines solely to purchase a 
     firearm in a state with less stringent background checks. 
     Closing these background check loopholes is critical to 
     reducing gun violence throughout the United States.
       The women and men serving on America's front lines deserve 
     the support that these bills will provide. Beyond data and 
     research, common sense tells us that the solutions offered in 
     H.R. 8/S.B. 529 are needed and will make a difference. We 
     urge you to pass H.R. 8/S.B. 529 the Bipartisan Background 
     Checks Act /Background Check Expansion Act, as soon as 
     possible.
           Sincerely,
                                               James H. Burch, II,
     President.
                                  ____

                                                    March 4, 2021.
     Hon. Chuck Schumer,
     Majority Leader, U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
     Speaker, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Mitch McConnell,
     Minority Leader, U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Kevin McCarthy,
     Republican Leader, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Majority Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Speaker 
     Pelosi, and Leader McCarthy: March for Our Lives Colorado 
     (MFOL CO) has been pushing for common-sense gun laws for our 
     state since 2019. MFOL CO's mission is to prevent gun 
     violence in Colorado by engaging youth in the legislative 
     process to further safety measures to protect ourselves and 
     our fellow classmates. As such, we strongly endorse H.R. 8 
     for its potential to prevent gun-related violence. In 2013, 
     Colorado passed House Bill 13-1229, resulting in the passage 
     of universal background checks for firearm sales through 
     unlicensed sellers in response to devastating events of gun 
     violence in both Colorado and across the nation. According to 
     the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, 2019 alone resulted in 
     the rejection of 2.11% of sales (3,477 firearm sales) through 
     unlicensed sellers due to indicators on background checks 
     that suggest the guns would potentially be misused, showing 
     that UBC laws have the empirical ability to keep guns from 
     individuals who might misuse them.
       Since 1993, the National Instant Criminal Background Check 
     System (NICS) has conducted firearm background checks on gun 
     purchasers. Federally licensed dealers must run a check 
     through NICS to determine whether a potential buyer is 
     prohibited from purchasing firearms. If information in NICS 
     shows that a person is indeed prohibited, the dealer must 
     deny the sale.
       However, there is a loophole in federal law and no 
     background check is required for sales at gun shows, through 
     online marketplaces, or between private individuals. 
     Individuals who would otherwise be prohibited from purchasing 
     or possessing a gun can easily buy guns through such 
     unregulated sales. And the frequency of these unregulated 
     sales is concerning: recent studies indicate that 
     approximately 22 percent of firearms are purchased without a 
     background check, and up to 80% of firearms used in crimes 
     are obtained without a background check.
       H.R. 8/S. 529 the Bipartisan Background Checks Act/
     Background Check Expansion Act would require a background 
     check on every sale, ensuring that people prohibited from 
     purchasing firearms cannot exploit loopholes and purchase 
     guns through an unregulated sale at a gun show, online, or 
     from an unlicensed seller. In addition, individuals would no 
     longer be able to cross state lines solely to purchase a 
     firearm in a state with less stringent background checks. 
     Closing these background check loopholes is critical to 
     reducing gun violence throughout the United States.
       Additionally, H.R. 1446/S. 529 the Enhanced Background 
     Checks Act/ Background Check Completion Act would provide the 
     FBI more time to complete background checks and ensure that 
     people prohibited from possessing firearms are not able to 
     obtain them by default because of an incomplete background 
     check. This deadly loophole in existing law was exploited by 
     a white supremacist who killed nine people at the Mother 
     Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
       H.R. 8 will save lives through increased background checks 
     for unlicensed sales in the United States. Our organization's 
     first-hand experience with gun violence in our youths brings 
     a grave brevity to our support of H.R. 8. March For Our Lives 
     was forged to call for action against the violence that has 
     plagued our nation. We call on you now to pass these bills to 
     protect millions of student lives across the United States.
       We urge you to pass H.R. 8/S. 529 the Bipartisan Background 
     Checks Act/Background Check Expansion Act and H.R. 1446/S. 
     529 the Enhanced Background Checks Act/Background Check 
     Completion Act, as soon as possible.
           Sincerely,
     March For Our Lives Colorado.
                                  ____

                                            American Psychological


                                   Association Services, Inc.,

                                                    March 8, 2021.
     Hon. Chuck Schumer,
     Majority Leader, U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
     Speaker, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Mitch McConnell,
     Minority Leader, U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Kevin McCarthy,
     Republican Leader, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Majority Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Speaker 
     Pelosi, and Leader McCarthy: On behalf of the American 
     Psychological Association (APA), I write to express our 
     support of H.R. 8/S. 529 the Bipartisan Background Checks Act 
     of 2021. This important legislation would address our 
     nation's gun violence public health crisis by closing pre-
     existing loopholes that allow for unlicensed gun sellers to 
     avoid comprehensive background checks on firearms sales.
       APA is the largest scientific and professional organization 
     representing psychology in the United States with nearly 
     122,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants, and 
     students. Our mission is to advance the creation, 
     communication, and application of psychological knowledge to 
     benefit society and improve people's lives. APA advocates for 
     a public health approach to gun violence prevention, 
     supporting evidence-based programs and policies that can 
     reduce the occurrence and impact of firearm-related violence 
     in the United States.
       Research demonstrates almost 80% of all firearms acquired 
     for criminal purposes are obtained through transfers from 
     unlicensed sellers and 96% of persons incarcerated for gun 
     offenses who were already prohibited from possessing a 
     firearm at the time of the offense obtained their firearm 
     from an unlicensed seller. Moreover, states that only require 
     background checks on sales through federally licensed 
     firearms dealers showed higher rates of adolescents who carry 
     guns than states that require universal background checks on 
     all prospective gun buyers.
       Thank you for your work to prevent gun violence tragedies.
           Sincerely,

                                      Brian D. Smedley, Ph.D.,

                       Chief of Psychology in the Public Interest,
     American Psychological Association.
                                  ____



                               American College of Physicians,

                                                    March 4, 2021.
     Hon. Michael Thompson,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Rep. Thompson: On behalf of the American College of 
     Physicians (ACP), I am writing to offer our strong support 
     for the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021 (H.R. 8), 
     legislation introduced in the 117th Congress to expand and 
     enhance the National Instant Criminal Background Check System 
     (NICS). We applaud your continued efforts to reduce firearms-
     related violence through common sense legislation. As an 
     organization representing physicians who have first-hand 
     experience with the devastating impact on the health of their 
     patients resulting from firearms-related injuries and deaths, 
     we have a responsibility to be part of the solution in trying 
     to mitigate firearms-related tragedies. We stand ready to 
     work with you to advance this important legislation.
       The American College of Physicians is the largest medical 
     specialty organization and the second-largest physician 
     membership society in the United States. ACP members include 
     163,000 internal medicine physicians (internists), related 
     subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine 
     physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and 
     clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and 
     compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health 
     to complex illness.
       We remain alarmed by the tragic toll of firearms violence 
     in our neighborhoods, homes, workplaces, and public spaces. 
     Deaths and injuries from firearms are not just a result of 
     mass shootings, they are a daily occurrence; in 2019, 39,707 
     Americans lost their lives to firearms, according to the 
     Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This issue 
     represents an urgent public health

[[Page H1293]]

     crisis and now is the time to act, on a bipartisan basis, on 
     measures to improve the safety of all Americans.
       The Bipartisan Background Checks Act would strengthen the 
     accuracy and reporting of the National Instant Criminal 
     Background Check System (NICS) as well as expand Brady 
     background checks to cover all firearm sales, including 
     unlicensed firearms sellers currently not required to use 
     background checks. Examples of gun sales not requiring 
     background checks through NICS include those at gun shows, 
     through the internet, and between private individuals or 
     classified ads. With some exceptions, the legislation would 
     expand background checks to cover all private and commercial 
     firearm transfers and sales. In addition, because gun sellers 
     would now be required to perform background checks for all 
     sales and transfers, gun purchasers would no longer be able 
     to cross state lines to buy firearms in a state with less 
     rigorous background check laws.
       In conclusion, for more than 20 years, we ACP has urged the 
     adoption of policies to reduce deaths and injuries related to 
     firearms violence. A brief summary of ACP's updated position 
     paper on this issue can be found here. We remain committed to 
     this endeavor and we call on Congress to pass H.R. 8 as a 
     necessary first step in addressing the public health crisis 
     created by firearms violence.
           Sincerely,
                                  Jacqueline W. Fincher, MD, MACP,
                                                        President.

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. On this bill we have coauthors who are 
Democrats and Republicans, cops, hunters, gun owners, district 
attorneys, a former FBI agent, and veterans, who have served in combat 
and put their lives on the line to protect our Second Amendment.
  There is bipartisan support for universal background checks in 
Congress and near universal support for background checks from the 
American people.
  I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 8.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Hice).
  Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from Ohio 
for yielding.
  Look, bottom line is, we all know that by definition criminals don't 
abide by the law. And that applies also when they are purchasing 
firearms. Nothing in this bill prohibits this type of individual from 
obtaining firearms.
  In fact, the majority of individuals in prison for committing crimes 
with firearms obtain their firearms through theft, the underground 
market, family members, and the like.
  But what this bill does is threaten everyday American citizens with 
up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine for exercising their Second 
Amendment right in doing common practices.
  To say that this does not create a national gun registry, you cannot 
accomplish what is in this bill without a gun registry.
  The reality is universal background checks do not stop mass 
shootings. We do not have mass shootings because of lack of background 
checks. This bill will not make our communities safer. In fact, what it 
will do is cause law-abiding citizens to lose more of their Second 
Amendment rights.
  We shouldn't be focused here in Congress in taking those rights away. 
We actually should be strengthening the enforcement of laws we already 
have to make our communities safer.
  I stand with the Constitution and urge my colleagues to vote against 
H.R. 8.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, the fact is that 160 families every day buy 
guns. All this bill does is to say that people who obtain guns from 
unlicensed dealers, as well as licensed dealers, must be subject to the 
background check, and that will save a heck of a lot of lives.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  You know, our friends on the other side of the aisle are deadly 
wrong. That is the tragedy of their argument, because the Second 
Amendment does not prohibit regulation. It never did. And our Founding 
Fathers regulated guns as early as the beginning of this Nation.
  And so I rise in support of H.R. 8, and indicate while the COVID-19 
pandemic dominated news headlines in 2020, the number of shootings 
surged in many communities across America.
  Our public health and emergency resources have been straining to 
recover from the coronavirus, and budgets are crunched nationwide, and, 
as well, gun violence is rising. It is important to note because 
approximately 80 percent of firearms used for criminal purposes are 
obtained without a background check.
  We must strengthen our firearms background checks and close dangerous 
gaps, such as the online sale and gun show loopholes.
  In the data that we were able to secure, there was nearly one mass 
shooting per day in the United States: 355 mass shootings in 2018. We 
realize that since December 2012 there have been at least 1,518 mass 
shootings with at least 1,715 people killed.
  Each day an average of 92 Americans are victims of gun violence, 
resulting in more than 33,000 deaths. And I wonder why our friends 
could not feel the pain of the loss of guns being transferred illegally 
or improperly?
  I was here for Columbine. That happened on April 20, 1999. High 
school students losing their lives. I was here when babies were killed 
in Newtown, Connecticut, on December 12, 2012. I was here in the United 
States Congress each moment we tried to pass sensible gun legislation 
like H.R. 8.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Thompson for his leadership and 
Chairman Nadler.
  On February 14, 2018 I was here for Parkland and looked at these 
photographs. And as well I was here on May 18 when in San Jose, Texas, 
people died. It is time to pass H.R. 8. Stop seeing our children die.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 8, the ``Bipartisan 
Background Checks Act of 2021'' and H.R. 1446, the ``Enhanced 
Background Check Act of 2021,'' which would make it illegal for any 
person who is not a licensed firearm importer, manufacturer, or dealer 
to transfer a firearm to any other person who is not so licensed 
without a background check.
  A 2013 study found that approximately 80 percent of all firearms 
acquired for criminal purposes were obtained from sources who were not 
required to run a background check, and that 96 percent of inmates who 
were not prohibited from possessing a firearm at the time they 
committed their crime obtained their gun this way.
  This loophole exists largely because unlicensed sellers need not 
conduct any background check under current law, even if the seller 
sells a large number of guns.
  Under H.R. 8, the ``Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021,'' 
individuals seeking to transfer a firearm under this measure would be 
required to visit a licensed firearms dealer to run the necessary 
background check before the transfer could be finalized.
  H.R. 8 is intended to provide an accurate and speedy manner to ensure 
firearms do not end up in the wrong hands.
  An internal assessment by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) 
demonstrated that NICS background checks are approximately 99.3 percent 
to 99.8 percent accurate, and in 90 percent of cases, are processed 
within 90 seconds.
  I am particularly pleased that the rule reported by Rules Committee 
makes in order Jackson Lee Amendment No. 12 to H.R. 8, which makes 
clear that a gun owner who realizes that he or she is at risk of 
suicide may transfer the gun to someone else, if the risk is imminent, 
without a background check to prevent self-harm.
  The Jackson Lee Amendment will help ensure that no person who is 
experiencing a suicidal crisis will feel compelled to retain their gun 
when it would be better for them to temporarily transfer it to someone 
else.
  Mr. Speaker, the American people are demanding effective action to 
reduce, if not prevent altogether, the countless mass shootings and gun 
violence in our country that continue to claim so many innocent lives.
  Newly released data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and 
Prevention found firearm-related deaths rose for the second-straight 
year in 2016, largely due to spikes in gun violence.
  In 2016, the new CDC report on preliminary mortality data shows that 
there were more than 38,000 gun-related deaths in the U.S.--4,000 more 
than 2015.
  An Associated Press analysis of FBI data shows there were about 
11,000 gun-related homicides in 2016, up from 9,600 in 2015.
  Congress must act to keep our country safe through gun safety and 
violence deterrence.
  There is nearly one mass shooting per day in the United States--355 
mass shootings in 2018.
  In December 2012, a gunman walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School 
in Newtown, Connecticut, and killed 20 children, 6 adults, and himself.
  Since December 2012, there have been at least 1,518 mass shootings, 
with at least 1,715 people killed and 6,089 wounded.

[[Page H1294]]

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

                              {time}  1445

  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. Biggs).

[[Page H1295]]

  

  Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, the last 2 weeks, the majority has attacked the First 
Amendment, and now they are attacking the Second Amendment.
  H.R. 8 will not save lives. As Justice Scalia noted in his decision 
in Heller, the Second Amendment does not give Americans a right; it 
protects a preexisting right, and that right shall not be infringed.
  H.R. 8 would not have prevented recent shootings. In Parkland, the 
shooter acquired the firearm legally from an FFL after undergoing a 
NICS check. The same thing in Sutherland Springs, Texas; the same in 
Las Vegas, Nevada; and the same in Orlando. I could go on because the 
list would produce the same result. They got their guns after a 
background check, including in El Paso.
  Criminals who seek to do harm get guns regardless of the new 
restrictions imposed by H.R. 8. And with very limited exceptions, H.R. 
8 makes it illegal for Americans to get a gun if a nonlicensed 
importer, manufacturer, or dealer is not involved. How will the 
government know if an illegal transfer occurs? Without a registry, this 
bill is unenforceable.
  Mr. Speaker, I have heard supporters of this bill say that other 
countries have similar restrictions so we should, too. I counter with 
the fact that other countries do not have the Second Amendment. The 
Second Amendment was included to ensure that the United States would be 
different than other countries.
  Mr. Speaker, I oppose this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the 
same.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Jayapal).
  Ms. JAYAPAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 8, the 
Bipartisan Background Checks Act. This bill is among the most 
commonsense gun violence prevention reforms, requiring background 
checks for unlicensed sellers.
  Mr. Speaker, this is not complicated. This is simple. Under H.R. 8, 
people who wish to transfer a firearm would have to visit a licensed 
firearm dealer to run a background check before the transfer could be 
finalized.
  Most of these checks take 90 seconds, 90 seconds to prevent firearms 
from ending up in the wrong hands, 90 seconds to prevent more of our 
loved ones from being killed by gun violence.
  I am proud to be from Washington State, where voters have 
consistently tackled gun violence with commonsense reforms, passing one 
of the first, most comprehensive background check laws in 2014 and 
raising the legal age to purchase a semiautomatic rifle to 21 in 2018.
  Mr. Speaker, let's do this. To save lives, vote ``aye.''
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. McClintock).
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8 is brought to us by the same 
organizations and politicians who have made no secret of their 
intention ultimately to strip law-abiding citizens of their right to 
defend themselves. Now, they know they can't do it outright, so they do 
it through cynical measures like this, which weave a web of laws so 
intricate that, sooner or later, everyone can be caught up in them.
  This law affects not only sales but any transfer of a weapon for any 
period of time. A couple of years ago, a 10-year study by Johns Hopkins 
and UC Davis concluded that California's background check law had no 
effect on gun homicides or suicides. None.
  The purpose of this bill is not public safety. That is its deceptive 
facade. Its purpose is to make gun ownership so legally hazardous, so 
fraught with legal boobytraps and draconian penalties, that no honest 
and law-abiding citizen would ever want to take the risk.
  Most criminals already get their guns illegally. They are 
unconstrained by laws like this. This bill is aimed squarely at law-
abiding citizens, moving us closer to a society where decent people are 
defenseless and armed criminals are kings.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. McBath).
  Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, 2 years ago, I came to Congress, and one of 
my first actions as a Member was cosponsoring this bipartisan 
legislation that will save lives.
  Mr. Speaker, I know the pain of gun violence firsthand. Eight years 
ago, I lost my son, Jordan, a victim of a gun in the wrong hands.
  With this legislation, we empower law enforcement to keep guns from 
those who might do harm by simply requiring a background check whenever 
a gun is sold. This is commonsense legislation that will prevent more 
families from knowing the pain of losing a loved one to gun violence.
  Just like 2 years ago, our vote today is a beginning, and it is 
definitely not the end. In again passing this commonsense bipartisan 
legislation, we call on our colleagues in the Senate to do what is 
right to keep America's families safe.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud once again to stand in support of this 
legislation as a survivor of gun violence myself.
  Mr. Speaker, Congress refusing to pass this vital legislation would 
be America's shame and burden for generations to come.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman 
from Colorado (Mrs. Boebert), the co-chair of the Second Amendment 
Caucus.
  Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member,   Jim Jordan, 
for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I was raised in a Democrat home, so I understand how 
these policies are deceiving. I understand that we are told guns are 
scary. That is what we were told, and that is what we believed, because 
we trusted the people who we voted for. But just as with most things in 
life, I grew up and learned that there is a better way to live. I was 
ignorant to firearms and the proper use of them.

  Mr. Speaker, when I became a business owner, I needed to protect 
myself. There was an altercation outside of my restaurant, where a man 
was physically beat to death. There were no weapons involved. He was 
beaten to death by another man's hands.
  I have a lot of young girls who work in my restaurant, and we needed 
an equalizer. I am 5 feet tall. I weigh barely 100 pounds. I need 
something against a stronger potential aggressor to defend myself with.
  Talk about women's rights. Don't take my right away to protect 
myself.
  I mean, seriously, what are we doing here? I ask the supporters of 
this legislation, who do you think you are to disarm Americans and 
leave them vulnerable without help?
  You want to defund our police and yet leave us without a way to 
protect ourselves.
  Our Founding Fathers gave us a list of items. They said don't touch 
these things. And I am telling you, keep your hands off of our Second 
Amendment.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Butterfield). Members are reminded to 
address their remarks to the Chair.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Dean).
  Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I am assuming our colleague on the other side of the 
aisle can pass a background check, so she will have no inability to 
have a gun.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background 
Checks Act, because even as we manage a deadly pandemic, gun violence 
continues to plague our Nation.
  Every year, more than 130,000 people in this Nation are victims of 
gun violence. Some 38,000 dead, another 100,000 caught in the 
crossfire. In my home region in Philadelphia, 2,244 people were victims 
of gun violence in the year 2020.
  Mr. Speaker, death by guns doesn't mean only murders. Sadly, it also 
means death by suicide using a firearm, which was the case in 62 
percent of Pennsylvania's gun deaths last year. This is a public health 
crisis.
  The Bipartisan Background Checks Act requires a background check for 
all gun sales, no loopholes, no backdoors, a commonsense solution 
supported by a majority of Americans, including 89 percent of 
Republicans and 87 percent of gun owners.
  Mr. Speaker, let's find the courage to address the crisis. Let's save 
lives. Let's pass the bill.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, the previous speaker talked about the 
increase in violent crime in her neighborhood last year. Maybe if 
Democrats actively supported our police and not

[[Page H1296]]

supported defund the police, maybe that wouldn't be the case.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Arizona 
(Mrs. Lesko).
  Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, Mr. Jordan, for 
yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this bill.
  H.R. 8 is an assault on our Second Amendment right to keep and bear 
arms. The bill turns law-abiding citizens into criminals by subjecting 
them to criminal penalties for simply lending a friend or a neighbor a 
gun on a temporary basis.
  Additionally, the bill would inevitably lead to a national gun 
registry because, without a registry, the government has no way to 
implement this legislation. This bill is certainly a slippery slope.
  Most alarmingly, this bill does nothing, absolutely nothing, to stop 
criminals from obtaining firearms. According to the Department of 
Justice, less than 1 percent of criminals in prison who possessed a 
firearm during their offense obtained the firearm from a licensed 
dealer, meaning criminals would still have access to firearms under 
this law.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill is just the first of many steps to take away 
our Second Amendment rights. I urge my colleagues to vote against this 
bill.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Neguse).
  Mr. NEGUSE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chair for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today for the more than 100,000 Americans who 
every year are impacted by gun violence, and I rise today to give voice 
to the overwhelming majority of the American people who support 
universal background checks.
  Communities in Colorado have experienced the tragedy and the grief of 
gun violence far too many times--Columbine, Aurora, Highlands Ranch.
  Mr. Speaker, enough is enough. We have lost too many parents, 
friends, neighbors, students, and children to gun violence.
  This Congress must act, which is why I support H.R. 8. We must act on 
gun violence. We must pass H.R. 8, and we must send it to President 
Biden's desk.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Cline).
  Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, enough is enough, which is why I rise in 
strong opposition to H.R. 8 and to offer a motion to recommit the bill.
  This bill is nothing more than a coordinated effort by the 
authoritarian left to strip away the constitutional rights guaranteed 
to Americans by the Second Amendment.
  Instead of criminalizing the innocent actions of law-abiding gun 
owners, American citizens, we should be focused on stopping real crime 
in our local communities and enforcing the laws that are already on the 
books.
  One way we can do that is by ensuring that ICE is notified when 
unlawful aliens attempt to purchase a firearm illegally. The FBI 
reported just last month that NICS had over 10 million people listed as 
an illegal alien. In fact, this ranks as the number one prohibited 
category in the FBI's NICS Indices.
  Since 1998, over 28,000 illegal aliens have been denied a firearm 
after failing a NICS check. With over 2,700 in 2019 alone, this means 
over 28,000 criminals have been allowed to stay in the United States 
when ICE should have been alerted about their criminal act but were 
not.

  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8 fails to do anything to prevent crime, which is 
why I am offering this motion to recommit, so our Nation's laws are 
enforced. And if you will recall, this MTR passed in 2019 with a strong 
bipartisan majority.
  Mr. Speaker, if we adopt the motion to recommit, we will instruct the 
Committee on the Judiciary to consider my amendment to H.R. 8 to ensure 
that the FBI alerts ICE anytime an illegal alien is denied a firearm 
because of NICS.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of my 
amendment in the Record immediately prior to the vote on the motion to 
recommit.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Clark).
  Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, in 2016, after the tragic 
Pulse nightclub shooting, I, with my colleagues, sat in protest on this 
very floor with our friend, the late Congressman John Lewis. On that 
day, Congressman Lewis told us: ``We have turned deaf ears to the blood 
of the innocent and the concern of our Nation. We are blind to a 
crisis.''
  Mr. Speaker, nearly 5 years later, we have endured thousands of mass 
shootings. We have mourned the loss of 100 people every single day to 
suicide and homicide with guns.
  Today's vote will improve the safety of our schools, our communities, 
and our streets. It is a vote for kids, parents, veterans, and our 
neighbors. I stand here today thinking of the many survivors and 
families who have been waiting for this moment, and I think of my 
friend, John, who told us to always speak out for the voiceless and act 
boldly for justice.
  Today, with this bill, we will do just that.

                              {time}  1500

  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Clyde).
  Mr. CLYDE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to stand against H.R. 8.
  This bill would make it a crime to transfer a firearm from one 
individual to another without a Federal firearms licensee overseeing 
the transfer and conducting a background check on the prospective 
buyer. While there are limited exceptions to this bill, in this bill it 
does nothing to address how violent criminals actually obtain firearms, 
nor does the bill make it harder for them to obtain a firearm. That is 
because criminals don't follow the law. That is why they are called 
criminals.
  So by making these types of changes to the law, the bill does nothing 
to prohibit guns from ending up in the hands of criminals. Instead, it 
does everything possible to make it harder for law-abiding citizens to 
exercise their Second Amendment rights.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote on H.R. 8.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
Massachusetts (Mrs. Trahan).
  Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker, there is a rampaging public health 
emergency that has been with us for far too long. And there have been 
countless chilling examples of what happens when we fail to act, or 
only take half measures, anodyne placebos. Each time, more lives are 
lost.
  Moreover, we have seen a particular community unjustly suffer scorn 
for this emergency. They have been scapegoated rather than recognized 
as the fellow victims of this crisis. But there is no question that the 
harms of this crisis haven't fallen evenly, and the disparate harm 
offers all the more reason for actual solutions, not mere talk. By now, 
my colleagues know that I am not talking about COVID. I am referring to 
gun violence.
  Today, the most commonsense, broadly popular, and impactful thing 
that we can do is pass H.R. 8, and bolster our pitifully weak 
background check system in the United States. Keeping deadly weapons 
out of the hands of those fueled by hate is as common sense as it gets.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 8.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Roy).
  Mr. ROY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, right now in south Texas there are American citizens 
whose lives are in danger because of wide open borders as a direct 
result of Biden's border crisis and the policies of the Democratic 
leadership of this body and the Senate. American citizens are unsafe. I 
am not making that up.
  For the last 2 years, I have heard my Democratic colleagues talking 
about a fake crisis at our border. There is nothing fake about 100,000 
people coming across our border; or high-speed chases through Uvalde, 
Texas; or high-speed chases in Real County, which I represent. There is 
nothing fake about break-ins putting lives in danger.
  People own ranches, and now my Democratic colleagues, after defunding 
the police and opening up our borders,

[[Page H1297]]

want to take away our God-given right--yes, God-given right--to defend 
ourselves under the Second Amendment. That is what this is about. This 
is about creating a gun registry to track guns of the American people. 
There is no way to implement what the Democrats are trying to implement 
without doing that.
  I can just tell you straight up, Texans, Americans, the Government is 
never going to know what weapons I own. Let me be clear about that. It 
is not going to happen. We have a God-given right to defend our 
families, defend our State, and defend ourselves against tyranny; and 
we will do that regardless of the errant policies that this Democratic 
Congress is trying to jam through.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Kelly).
  Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, soon we will take a bipartisan 
vote on the Background Checks Act, a bill which could save lives in 
every district of our Nation. Expanding background checks will help 
prevent guns from getting into the hands of those who may be a danger 
to themselves or others. This is a simple commonsense solution to a 
worsening problem in our Nation.
  Even in 2020, when many people were at home during the raging COVID-
19 pandemic, we lost more than 41,000 people to gun violence. That 
number includes nearly 300 children under the age of 11. My heart 
breaks for their parents. But heartbreak will do little to comfort 
those mourning families, and we know well enough by now it will do 
nothing to prevent any future tragedies.
  It is time for us to step up to say enough is enough. It is time for 
our families to be able to play in the park, drive a car on the 
expressway, or on a bus, or other things we take for granted without 
fear of gun violence. We need to pass legislation that will save 
precious lives.
  I ask: How many funerals have you attended?
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 8, expand 
background checks, and make our Nation safer.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Murphy).
  Mr. MURPHY of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
Ohio for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 8 as well as H.R. 
1446.
  There is not a single Member in this Chamber who does not mourn the 
innocent lives lost to gun violence, but I solemnly believe that my 
Democratic colleagues lack a fundamental understanding of this issue.
  I have worked as a surgeon who has done pelvic trauma for close to 30 
years. In fact, I will submit that I am the only Member of this Chamber 
who has ever operated on a gunshot victim. The infinite majority of 
gunshot victims are shot by criminals who have obtained their guns 
illegally. They did not apply for permits. They are not a member of the 
NRA. They are criminals. These bills would do nothing to keep the guns 
out of their hands.

  In all my years as a surgeon, I have yet to see a gun jump up by 
itself and injure someone. It is either from a crime, a mental illness, 
or tragically from an accident. Where I live in eastern North Carolina, 
it is certainly different from New York City, the gun haven of Chicago, 
or Oakland, but we still have our share of drug-related and gang-
related crime.
  On the other hand, we have a lot of wilderness that people back home, 
adults and children, still enjoy hunting. These law-abiding citizens 
should not have their rights trampled upon. We are all saddened by the 
loss of life from mass shootings, but, Mr. Speaker, the issue is not 
the gun itself, but the mental illness borne by the gun holder. A 
mentally stable person does not shoot innocent people.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman from North Carolina 
(Mr. Murphy) an additional 30 seconds.
  Mr. MURPHY of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8 and H.R. 1446 
absurdly hamper people's ability to exercise their constitutional right 
to defend themselves. This sort of broad government overreach does not 
save lives, but treats everyday law-abiding citizens like criminals.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on these bills. We 
should not support bills that place the rights of violent criminals 
above those law-abiding American citizens.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, how much time remains?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from New York has 11\1/2\ 
minutes remaining, and the gentleman from Ohio has 10 minutes 
remaining.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from California (Mr. Levin).
  Mr. LEVIN of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a proud 
cosponsor of H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act.
  This legislation has one simple goal: keep guns out of the hands of 
people who are dangerous.
  More than 90 percent of the American people support universal 
background checks on every firearm sale or transfer, and that is what 
this bill does.
  Our constituents expect us to find common ground to finally end the 
gun violence epidemic in this country. They expect us to pass this 
bipartisan bill. The era of offering only thoughts and prayers is over. 
It is over. The American people demand action. H.R. 8 is the action 
they are calling for.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to stand with the American people 
and vote ``yes.'' Let's get this done.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Budd).
  Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Ohio for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, the fundamental truth is that the Second Amendment 
guarantees the right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms to 
protect themselves and their loved ones.
  America's Founders spoke on this issue extensively. Benjamin Franklin 
warned that those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a 
little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin 
Franklin was right. The American tradition of self-reliance, self-
determination, and self-defense has been fierce. It has been what makes 
this country so exceptional and so great.
  Today, the House will vote on legislation that would undermine that 
very right. What is worse is that both of these bills would not have 
prevented mass shootings or tragedies across this Nation. Those are 
awful events. We all agree that those events are awful. But in those 
cases, the criminal either passed a background check or they stole 
their weapons.
  We cannot sacrifice our rights by passing laws that will make our 
families less safe and laws that criminals will simply ignore. We must 
always protect and preserve our God-given Second Amendment right.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly).
  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I will remind my friend on the other side of the aisle, 
the God-given right every one of us has, according to the Declaration 
of Independence, is life, and that is what we are arguing about here 
today.
  Are we going to take protective measures that save lives?
  This bill does that. I talk about the ABCs of gun control. A, 
reinstate the Assault Weapons Ban; B, universal background checks; and 
C, closing the gun show loophole.
  Those three practical measures will save lives. And because I support 
ABC, I get an F every year from the NRA, and I am proud of that grade 
every year.


                             Point of Order

  Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, point of order. I would request that the 
colleague from Virginia direct his remarks to you and not to other 
colleagues.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair reminds all Members to address 
their remarks to the Chair.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Chabot).
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that I have been a committed 
defender of the Second Amendment since being elected to Congress back 
in 1994. For me, that means that I will do everything that I possibly 
can to ensure that the rights of Americans, as they relate to the 
Second Amendment, are protected, while at the same time

[[Page H1298]]

working to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals and mentally 
unstable individuals.
  H.R. 8, unfortunately, doesn't accomplish either of those goals. It 
is overburdensome, unreasonable, and, if passed, would instead keep 
firearms out of the hands of some hardworking and law-abiding citizens.
  Yesterday, at the Rules Committee, I offered an amendment which would 
allow for the transfer of a firearm to museums or historical displays 
without going through the burdensome requirements of this measure, but 
that eminently reasonable amendment and others offered by my colleagues 
were flatly rejected by the majority.

  During this afternoon's debate, we have again expressed several 
concerns which will not be addressed or considered by the majority. 
Instead of focusing on improving the National Instant Criminal 
Background Checks System, or NICS, providing resources to assist those 
with mental illnesses or hardening soft targets like schools and places 
of worship, the majority will pass this legislation and attempt to 
further infringe on the Second Amendment rights of our constituents. 
That is very, very unfortunate.
  Mr. Speaker, for those reasons, I stand in opposition to this deeply 
flawed legislation.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz).
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise as both a mom and a Member of Congress in strong 
support of H.R. 8.
  Last month, my community marked the 3-year anniversary of the Marjory 
Stoneman Douglas shooting that stole 17 innocent lives.
  The anxiety and terror that came that day has never left us. Yet, too 
many communities witness horrific gun violence every day. Commonsense 
reform can end this agony and keep us safer mainly by requiring 
background checks for gun sales. Yet, loopholes allow up to 80 percent 
of firearms to be sold without background checks.

                              {time}  1515

  We must mandate universal background checks for firearm sales by 
passing H.R. 8 and then pass Jaime's Law, my legislation that expands 
that same mandate to ammunition purchases.
  The pandemic made gun proliferation worse, and inaction is not an 
option. We must do all we can to ensure guns and bullets don't end up 
in the wrong hands.
  Mr. Speaker, the outliers on this issue are Republicans whose fealty 
to the NRA results in more people dying from gun violence. Enough is 
enough.
  Mr. JORDAN. I reserve the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutch).
  Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, this morning I walked by an elementary 
school, and I saw parents dropping off their kids. I thought of parents 
around the country sending their kids back to school after months of 
virtual learning. They want their children to be safe.
  But it has been 8 years after Sandy Hook and 3 years after the 
shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in my district, we 
should be ashamed that we have waited so long and wasted so much time 
when we could be saving lives.
  We cannot have safe communities until we fix the crumbling foundation 
of our gun laws. That is the background check system. Universal 
background checks will help keep guns out of dangerous hands. They will 
save lives in our schools, they will save lives in our homes, and they 
will save lives on our streets.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to stand with survivors, with gun 
owners, and with Americans of both Democratic and Republican Parties 
who support universal background checks by voting to pass H.R. 8.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).
  Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, this bill simply requires that the 
background check for a purchase that occurs within a gun shop applies 
outside a gun shop. That doesn't take away anyone's right, but it does 
protect us from convicted criminals, fugitives, and family abusers who 
are prevented from evading the law to buy a weapon of war online or at 
a gun show. Texas Gun Sense knows the gap in safety makes no sense.
  Unfortunately, NRA has come to stand for ``No Republican Action.'' 
They offer us only moments of silence for mass murder, but they always 
come up short with one very important type of ammunition--courage. 
Students in March for Our Lives have that courage. Moms Demand Action 
are steadfast in demanding meaningful action.
  As these gun lobbies continue to oppose reasonable action, we must 
speak up for gun safety. We must listen to the victims of violence 
before their number is increased by another El Paso shooting, another 
school shooting, or another concert interrupted by gunfire.
  We must act now to save lives.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Kentucky (Mr. Massie).
  Mr. MASSIE. Mr. Speaker, I have a brief point to make. I wonder how 
my colleagues on the other side of the aisle hold two thoughts in 
contradiction simultaneously in their minds. They say that photo IDs 
and excessive registration paperwork and whatnot disenfranchises 
disproportionately minorities and the poor when they go to exercise 
their right to vote. But today with H.R. 8 and the next bill that is 
coming up, they are doing exactly that. They are causing there to be 
increased fees, increased paperwork, and more photo IDs.
  How does that not disenfranchise not just all Americans but 
disproportionately minorities and the poor?
  Mr. Speaker, I leave that to my colleagues to answer today.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Bowman).
  Mr. BOWMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have had the privilege of working in 
public education for 20 years. I started my career in 1999. That was 
the same year of the Columbine High School shooting. Throughout my 
career, unfortunately, we have had to continually deal with school 
shootings.
  In our schools we have to prepare children as young as 4 years old 
for the possibility of a school shooting. We have Columbine, we have 
Parkland, we have Virginia Tech, and we have Sandy Hook.
  I thought 9 years ago when Sandy Hood occurred that the country would 
stop, pause, and reflect on what is happening in our Nation. It was a 
mass shooting of our 6-year-old children--our babies. This law will 
begin the process of protecting our most vulnerable and protecting our 
babies.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to be here today 
with my colleagues, Mr. Thompson and Mrs. McBath.
  Mr. Speaker, Lucy's courage is an inspiration to me.
  This has been a priority for me in the quarter century I have been in 
Congress. I have supported every single reform that has advanced. But 
we have a change today because we have never had in 10 years the 
alignment with a House leadership and a Senate leadership that will not 
bury it and a President who will enthusiastically sign it into law.
  This is a landmark legislation that many of us have been working on 
literally for decades, and this is one more example of what difference 
it makes to have Democrats in charge and being able to advance 
meaningful gun safety.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for their hard work, and I am 
proud to stand with them.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, may I ask how much time remains.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from New York has 4\1/2\ 
minutes remaining. The gentleman from Ohio has 6\1/2\ minutes 
remaining.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Jeffries).
  Mr. JEFFRIES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished chair for 
yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, the right to bear arms is an important part of the 
constitutional fabric of this country, but it is

[[Page H1299]]

not without limits. And the notion that America has 4 percent of the 
world's population but 40 percent of the world's guns and a 
disproportionately high amount of homicides and suicides by guns should 
shock the conscience of every single person in this Chamber.
  Mass shooting after mass shooting after mass shooting, and yet we 
haven't acted to protect the health, safety, and well-being of the 
American people.
  That is why H.R. 8 is so significant. Universal criminal background 
check legislation is reasonable under the circumstances given the 
tragedies that we confront.
  House Democrats will not just talk about it. We are about it. That is 
why we will pass H.R. 8, and now we have a Senate and a President who 
will ultimately get it over the finish line. Vote ``yes'' on this 
lifesaving legislation.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman 
from Texas (Ms. Van Duyne).
  Ms. VAN DUYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the legislation 
we are considering today.
  In cities across America, violent crime has increased; and in cities 
across America, laws already exist to severely punish violent 
criminals. But despite this, we are seeing local elected officials, 
district attorneys, and prosecutors refuse to enforce existing laws and 
police who are continuously held back from doing their jobs.
  Instead of offering real solutions to improve public safety, it seems 
the majority is determined to punish law-abiding citizens while doing 
nothing to actually close loopholes in the system.
  If the bills we are considering were really stopping gun crimes and 
violent offenders from owning guns, then my amendment would be one we 
are discussing today, to prevent minors aged 15 to 17 who have 
committed violent crimes from having their records expunged and thereby 
able to purchase a firearm.
  But rather than take up my amendment to prevent felons from 
sidestepping our laws, the majority felt it more critical for public 
safety to expand background checks to ranchers and farmers with pest 
control issues. This is absurd.
  Nothing in H.R. 1446 or H.R. 8 would prevent those seeking to harm 
others from acquiring firearms. The people of my district deserve 
better than this, which is why I will be introducing legislation that 
will actually prevent violent criminals from clearing their record.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill and side with 
law-abiding Americans and side with those of us who want to take guns 
out of the hands of violent criminals.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Garcia).
  Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chair Nadler and my 
colleagues for their leadership on this issue.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 8 and H.R. 1446, 
two gun violence protection bills that would help keep our communities 
safe.
  Mr. Speaker, I am from Chicago, and we are no strangers to gun 
violence. In 2020 alone the city recorded 3,261 shootings and 769 
murders.
  Some of my colleagues might point out that Illinois has some of the 
strictest gun laws in the country. That is true. But studies tracking 
the guns show that guns often come from neighboring States with weaker 
gun laws. People drive one or two States over, and they come back with 
deadly weapons.
  The reality is that State laws aren't enough. We need stronger 
Federal laws, too.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass these critical laws that 
have bipartisan support among voters across the country that would help 
keep guns off the streets.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, the previous speaker talked about Chicago's 
strictest gun laws in the country, but yet there was a record number of 
shootings and crime last year.
  What could be the cause of that?
  Maybe it is the fact they defunded their police, something we have 
talked about now, well, since the Democrats started doing it.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. 
Grothman).

  Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, one more time we see people uncomfortable 
with our Constitution. Our forefathers gave us the right to bear arms 
because they wanted law-abiding people to have the right to defend 
themselves.
  Until Ferguson and the rise of the antipolice movement about 5 years 
ago, the murder rate in this country fell by over one-half between the 
early 1990s and around 2014.
  What happened at that time?
  We whipped up some antipolice hysteria, and since that time things 
have gone wildly up. Now the majority party introduces a cache of bills 
designed to make it more difficult for law-abiding people to access a 
weapon while not having any impact on people who wouldn't obey the laws 
anyway.
  They don't like the idea of private transfers. They don't like the 
idea of being able to get a gun in less than 10 days. They don't like 
the idea that if the government doesn't give the proper information 
over--well, apparently, they like the idea that they want to keep 
people from getting guns if the government, for whatever reason, is 
slow in turning things over.
  In any event, let's go back to the things that worked for 25 years 
before the rise of the antipolice movement if we really want to see 
improvement.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Meuser).
  Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from Ohio for 
yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, once again, Democratic leadership is proposing 
legislation that would do nothing to prevent criminals from accessing 
firearms while greatly restricting the Second Amendment rights of law-
abiding citizens.
  These bills are being sold to the public as an effort to pass 
universal background checks. But House Democrats fail to recognize that 
every commercial gun sale in the United States already has a background 
check.
  Mr. Speaker, ending gun violence in America is a goal we all share, 
but H.R. 8 will subject law-abiding gun owners to criminal penalties 
for simply handing a firearm to another person.
  For instance, if you loaned a friend a rifle to go hunting, they 
could face a year in prison or a $100,000 fine. This is simply 
ridiculous.
  The same would be true, Mr. Speaker, if you loaned an abuse victim a 
firearm for self-defense. H.R. 1446 would create arbitrary delays for 
firearm purchases and could allow the FBI to delay a firearm transfer 
indefinitely.
  These bills would do nothing to keep Americans safer and, in fact, 
threaten the public safety and our constitutional right to bear arms.

                              {time}  1530

  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas 
(Mr. Gooden).
  Mr. GOODEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in what alternative reality does it 
make sense for this Congress to take away people's rights to defend 
themselves and, at the same time, defund the police? That makes no 
sense.
  What we have seen in the last few days and the last week in this 
Congress is an effort to punish the law-abiders in this Nation. We have 
to stop doing this.
  If we take away guns from law-abiding citizens, we are doing nothing 
to reduce crime. Look at Chicago. The law-abiding citizens there do not 
live in a safe environment. They are able to follow these procedures 
that you are passing, but it is not going to do anything to stop the 
violence.
  We have to get away from this. We have to stop these laws that do not 
represent the will of the American people.
  Let's stop punishing the law-abiding citizens of the United States 
and get back to what they sent us here to do.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, can I inquire how much time we have 
remaining?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Ohio has 1\1/2\ minutes 
remaining. The gentleman from New York has 2\1/2\ minutes remaining.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close. I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Donalds).

[[Page H1300]]

  

  Mr. DONALDS. Mr. Speaker, gun crime in the United States is a tragedy 
for us all. I heard the talk about Sandy Hook, about Columbine, and, 
yes, about Parkland, which happened in my State. It is a tragedy that 
we all face.
  But the one thing, Mr. Speaker, we all have to remember is that, in 
each one of these instances, the person who acquired the firearm that 
committed this tragedy acquired it lawfully, or they stole the weapons 
from somebody else. This bill would not change any of those tragedies.
  If anything, what this bill does, it puts more burden on law-abiding 
Americans and does whittle away and strip their constitutional right to 
bear arms. You see, the issue is much more about mental health than it 
is about the ability to acquire firearms.
  For this body to unilaterally make it significantly more difficult 
for a law-abiding citizen to acquire a firearm, which is their 
constitutional, God-given right, is this body acting outside of its 
authority under the United States Constitution.
  Mr. Speaker, in short, this bill will not fix the tragedies that we 
face. Unfortunately, laws don't fix most of the tragedies that we face 
as Americans. What fixes them is dealing with the human condition that, 
unfortunately, inhabits people in our country. We should be working on 
that, not stripping the constitutional rights from our fellow citizens.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, since the House passed H.R. 8 more than 2 years ago, an 
estimated 80,000 people have lost their lives to gun violence. We have 
had too many moments of silence and too many expressions of sympathy. 
Too many families are grieving the loss of a loved one.
  Expanding background checks is overwhelmingly supported by the 
American public because they know that it will make a meaningful 
difference in reducing gun violence and saving lives. It is time to 
enact this important legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. WILLIAMS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021. This common-sense 
legislation would save lives in every state, every congressional 
district, and every community, by preventing guns from being sold to 
people who are dangers to themselves or others.
  If this is truly ``The People's House'' then we MUST pass H.R. 8 for 
the safety and protection of all people. Enough is enough. Too many 
times innocent lives have been lost to guns in the hands of people 
wishing to do harm. That's why 93 percent of Americans support 
requiring universal background checks on all gun sales. The people 
know: background checks work.
  By preventing guns from falling into the hands of people with mental 
illness or criminal history. Last year was a particularly tragic year 
for the Fifth District, with 177 lives ended at the barrel of a gun. My 
heart breaks knowing there have already been 25 gun-related deaths in 
my District this year. As I speak today, I am remembering Kennedy 
Maxie. A sweet, seven-year-old Black girl shot and killed in Atlanta 
while Christmas shopping with her family last December. She was an 
innocent victim, killed by someone who had no business with a gun.
  The tragedies are too many, and the gun violence too frequent. It's 
past time we did something.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time for debate has expired.
  Each further amendment printed in part C of House Report 117-10 not 
earlier considered as part of amendments en bloc pursuant to section 6 
of House Resolution 188, shall be considered only in the order printed 
in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the 
report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time 
specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent 
and an opponent, may be withdrawn by the proponent at any time before 
the question is put thereon, shall not be subject to amendment, and 
shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question.
  It shall be in order at any time after debate for the chair of the 
Committee on the Judiciary or his designee to offer amendments en bloc 
consisting of further amendments printed in part C of House Report 117-
10, not earlier disposed of. Amendments en bloc shall be considered as 
read, shall be debatable for 20 minutes equally divided and controlled 
by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on the 
Judiciary or their respective designees, shall not be subject to 
amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the 
question.
  The Chair understands that amendments Nos. 1 and 2 will not be 
offered; is that correct?
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, that is correct.


          Amendments En Bloc Offered by Mr. Nadler of New York

  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 188, I offer 
amendments en bloc.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will designate the amendments en 
bloc.
  Amendments en bloc consisting of amendment Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8, 
printed in part C of House Report 117-10, offered by Mr. Nadler of New 
York:


            amendment no. 3 offered by mr. crow of colorado

       Page 4, line 17, insert ``pest control on a farm or 
     ranch,'' before ``or fishing''.
       Page 4, line 25, insert ``pest control on a farm or 
     ranch,'' before ``or fishing''.


             amendment no. 4 offered by ms. garcia of texas

       Page 5, line 11, strike the close quotation marks and the 
     following period.
       Page 5, after line 11, insert the following:
       ``(4) The Attorney General shall make available to any 
     person licensed under this chapter both Spanish and English 
     versions of the form required for the conduct of a background 
     check under subsection (t) and this subsection, and the 
     notice and form required under paragraph (3) of this 
     subsection.''.


          amendment no. 5 offered by ms. jackson lee of texas

       Page 4, line 1, after ``including'' insert ``harm to self, 
     and''.


          amendment no. 6 offered by mr. lamb of pennsylvania

       Page 3, line 7, after ``transfer'' insert ``or exchange 
     (which, for purposes of this subsection, means an in-kind 
     transfer of a firearm of the same type or value)''.


           amendment no. 8 offered by mr. torres of new york

       Page 1, line 9, insert ``purchase or'' before 
     ``possession''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 188, the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
Jordan) each will control 10 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 45 seconds.
  Mr. Speaker, this en bloc amendment includes several amendments that 
strengthen the bill and that thoughtfully modify it to account for 
practical considerations surrounding the use and misuse of firearms.
  Among this group are a provision that clarifies the exchange of 
firearms between family members, a measure to protect more expansive 
State firearm laws, an amendment that would ensure ATF background check 
forms are available in Spanish, and a proposal that would allow for 
temporary transfers for pest control.
  Representative Jackson Lee's amendment concerning suicide is 
particularly important as it highlights the tragic consequences that 
access to firearms can have on those who intend to harm themselves.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the en bloc 
amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Pfluger).
  Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a Texan, a constitutional 
conservative, and in strong opposition not only to the amendments but 
to H.R. 8, a bill that would impose so-called universal background 
checks and gut the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners 
throughout this country.
  We all mourn the loss of innocent lives from gun violence that has 
happened in my district and in those around the country. No family 
should ever have to endure such tragic and terrible unnecessary loss.
  But the truth is that this legislation does nothing to address the 
root causes of gun violence and may do little to actually prevent 
criminals from obtaining guns, as has previously been said during this 
debate.
  What will be prevented, though? Your ability to lend your neighbor a

[[Page H1301]]

firearm if there are reports of break-ins; the ability of your suicidal 
friend or family member to ask you to remove their firearms from their 
home; or if a colleague comes to you and says that they are trapped in 
an abusive relationship and scared for their life, you could face a 
$100,000 fine or prison time for lending out your gun for self-defense.
  If we are going to effect real change, we don't need to tack 
additional restrictions on law-abiding citizens. We need to look at the 
root causes and have a transparent and open debate here to talk about 
mental health and the proper enforcement of laws that we already have.
  This is yet another example of Federal overreach, another example of 
the erosion of our rights, and a slippery slope that will strip all 
Americans of our Second Amendment rights as outlined in the 
Constitution.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the amendment and 
the bill.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute.
  As indicated, the Jackson Lee amendment is a simple, important, and 
straightforward amendment, and it is, frankly, to save lives.
  Specifically, the amendment makes clear that a gun owner who realizes 
that he or she is at risk of suicide may transfer the gun to someone 
else if the risk is imminent, without a background check, to prevent 
self-harm.
  This amendment will help ensure that no person who is experiencing a 
suicidal crisis will feel compelled to retain their gun when it would 
be better for them to temporarily transfer it to someone else.
  Contrary to what my friends on the other side have said, H.R. 8 does 
already exempt from the requirement of a background check ``a temporary 
transfer that is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily 
harm, including harm to self, family, household members, or others, if 
the possession by the transferee lasts only as long as immediately 
necessary to prevent the imminent death or great bodily harm, including 
the harm of domestic violence, dating partner violence, sexual assault, 
stalking, and domestic abuse.''
  This amendment, however, clarifies that this last option is available 
to someone who is at risk for suicide.
  I ask my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee amendment to protect 
those who may be a danger to themselves.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Jackson Lee Amendment No. 9 
included in the Chairman En Bloc Amendment to H.R. 8, the ``Bipartisan 
Background Checks Act of 2021,'' which would require a background check 
on every gun sale or transfer with limited exceptions, such as gifts to 
family members and transfers for hunting, target shooting, and self-
defense.
  The Jackson Lee Amendment No. 9 makes a simple common-sense 
improvement to the bill.
  Specifically, the amendment makes clear that a gun owner who realizes 
that he or she is at risk of suicide may transfer the gun to someone 
else, if the risk is imminent, without a background check to prevent 
self-harm.
  This amendment will help ensure that no person who is experiencing a 
suicidal crisis will feel compelled to retain their gun when it would 
be better for them to temporarily transfer it to someone else.
  H.R. 8 already exempts from the requirement of a background check ``a 
temporary transfer that is necessary to prevent imminent death or great 
bodily harm, including harm to self, family, household members, or 
others, if the possession by the transferee lasts only as long as 
immediately necessary to prevent the imminent death or great bodily 
harm, including the harm of domestic violence, dating partner violence, 
sexual assault, stalking, and domestic abuse.''
  A gun owner who realizes that they are at risk of suicide would have 
several options under this bill.
  They may loan the gun to a family member pursuant to the family 
member exception.
  They may ask a gun dealer to store the gun temporarily.
  And if the risk is imminent, they may transfer it to someone else, 
pursuant to this exception.
  This amendment clarifies that this last option is available to 
someone who is at risk for suicide.
  As Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and 
Homeland Security, I urge all members to join me in supporting Jackson 
Lee Amendment No. 9 by voting for the En Bloc Amendment to H.R. 8, the 
Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8 is a strong bill to expand the federal firearms 
background check requirement as our citizens have demanded. To make the 
bill even stronger, I offer an amendment that will help save even more 
lives.
  My amendment would make clear that a gun owner who realizes that he 
or she is at risk of suicide may transfer the gun to someone else, 
without a background check--if the risk is imminent to prevent self-
harm.
  The largest number of gun deaths each year are suicides. Studies have 
shown that the prevalence of suicide in the United States is directly 
linked to the easy availability of guns.
  Roughly sixty percent of gun deaths are suicides. Tragically, an 
average of 63 people, die by gun suicide every day in the U.S.
  The notion that suicides are inevitable, that people will just find 
another way, is wrong.
  Suicide attempts are often impulsive acts, and forty-eight percent of 
people harm themselves within 10 minutes of deciding to attempt 
suicide. Seventy-one percent do so within one hour.
  But those who reach for a gun during suicidal crises rarely have a 
second chance. Eighty-four percent of suicide attempts with a firearm 
are fatal. Think about this sad fact.
  Temporarily reducing access to guns significantly increases the 
likelihood of surviving a suicide attempt.
  That is why I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the bloc of 
amendments that includes my proposed revision to H.R. 8.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry).
  Mr. PERRY. Mr. Speaker, just yesterday afternoon at 3 o'clock in 
Atlanta, an armed robber walked into Chick-fil-A to rob the place.
  Now, think about that. You are in there with your children, getting a 
meal in the middle of the day, and somebody comes in with a gun, puts 
your life at risk. Everybody in the place is at risk.
  Did that guy get a background check to get his firearm? We don't know 
yet, but odds are he didn't because most of these crimes that are 
committed with a gun are with people who don't--guess what? I have a 
news flash--they don't follow the law.
  Robbing the Chick-fil-A at 3 o'clock in the afternoon in Atlanta is 
not in accordance with the law. But I will tell you what happened. An 
armed citizen stopped the robbery using his firearm, a legally obtained 
firearm, and saved everybody in the place.
  Do you know who is happy? The people in the Chick-fil-A are happy 
that the guy who bought the gun legally was there to save them and 
their children. That is who is happy.
  This legislation, Mr. Speaker, disarms that person who operated his 
firearm legally. That is what this legislation does. It disarms 
America. It says to the criminal: Keep on not abiding by the law. You 
got your weapon illegally. You are going to keep doing it.
  It doesn't stop them from doing anything. What it does do is it stops 
the guy who is going to get his firearm legally and end the crime in 
his community. That is who it stops.
  No charges are pending on that individual in Atlanta who stopped that 
crime. No charges are pending. He followed the law.
  This bill, Mr. Speaker, seeks to punish people who want to follow the 
law, and that is what is going to happen.
  Do you know what is going to happen when we do this? There are going 
to be more crimes. There are going to be more unauthorized weapons out 
there, and there are going to be less people out there defending 
themselves and our community. That is what is happening.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote on this.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 1 minute to the 
distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson), the chairman of 
our task force.
  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, that is nonsense. What was 
just said on the floor is not accurate.
  The only thing this bill does is require a background check. If 
someone has legally purchased a firearm and passed a background check, 
nobody is going to take that gun away from them. They legally purchased 
it. They passed the background check.
  To come out with that kind of nonsense, that type of scare tactic, is 
not complementary to the decorum of this

[[Page H1302]]

House, and it does not speak to this bill.

                              {time}  1545

  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I think part of the point of the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania was this system is a mess. Over 110,000 people were denied 
access to a firearm when they went through the background check, but 
only 12 were prosecuted. Mr. Massie led off our debate by talking about 
this one. That tells you one or two things.
  I think the main takeaway is, how many people were falsely denied? Or 
if they weren't, why weren't more people prosecuted?
  If the focus is to make sure the bad guy doesn't get the gun, holy 
cow, over 110,000 were denied access to a firearm, not given a 
clearance. Yet only 12 prosecuted?
  If you guys want to work with us on that issue, we are happy to do 
that. In fact, we have supported that and talked about that, but you 
don't want to do that.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman 
from Texas (Ms. Garcia), a member of the Judiciary Committee.
  Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 8, 
the Bipartisan Background Checks Act.
  Mr. Speaker, I grew up on a farm. I was taught at an early age how to 
handle a .22 and shotgun. We used them for hunting, to put food on the 
table.
  But this bill is just simply a background check for every gun sale or 
transfer, with commonsense exceptions. As the previous speaker noted, 
this has nothing to do with keeping someone who legally obtained a gun 
from getting one.
  When my niece got her first buck over the holidays at the family 
farm, my brother-in-law gave her his favorite shotgun as a present. 
They were all so excited. That would be exempted from any paperwork, 
and that just makes sense.
  My amendment also makes sense. It simply codifies the practice of 
ensuring that the background check forms and notifications used to 
purchase or transfer a firearm remain available in Spanish, as well as 
in English.
  Our country is blessed with a diverse population. Language diversity 
is part of that diversity that we should celebrate.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Crist).
  Mr. CRIST. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Bipartisan 
Background Checks Act.
  I also rise for my constituent, Mohammed Haitham. Mo was a young 
sailor who followed his mother's footsteps into the Navy, with the 
dream of becoming a pilot.
  When a Saudi terrorist started shooting, Mo sacrificed himself to 
protect others. That is who he was.
  Service, selflessness, sacrifice, Mo represented the very best in all 
of us. The great State of Florida is proud of him and proud to call him 
one of our own.
  The attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola killed three young sailors 
and wounded eight more.
  The terrorist bought the gun legally, using a hunting license to get 
it. Al-Qaida and ISIS know about this loophole, and until we close it, 
the American people will remain vulnerable.
  That is why my bipartisan bill to close the Pensacola loophole has 
the support of the Brady Campaign, the Giffords, Major County Sheriffs, 
and the Fraternal Order of Police.
  I look forward to working with the chairman and my colleagues on both 
sides of the aisle to pass this bill.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry).
  Mr. PERRY. Mr. Speaker, we lament the death of our good friend, Mr. 
Crist's constituent, Mo. We lament it. We especially lament it because 
when you are in the military and you are on base and you are in 
uniform, you are prohibited from carrying a firearm. Think about that. 
Those in our country most well trained to use a firearm lose their 
lives because they cannot defend themselves, as a regulation by the DOD 
that says they cannot carry a firearm on base. That is why Mo is not 
here.
  Sure, there is a Saudi terrorist in town that is killing people, but 
Mo could have stopped that if Mo were allowed to use his skills 
provided by the taxpayers and desired by him. He wanted to serve his 
country, he wanted to serve his community, and he should have been 
allowed to.
  This bill is more of the same thing, disallowing American citizens to 
defend themselves. Unfortunately, Mo is a prime example.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Lamb).
  Mr. LAMB. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my amendment, to make 
perfectly clear that transfers of firearms between family members do 
not require a background check, are not subject to the strictures of 
this bill. We should make that clear in order to confirm what we have 
all said here today, that this is a bill that targets those who break 
the law, not those who abide by it.

  My amendment shows respect for the important tradition within many 
families in western Pennsylvania and elsewhere of passing down a 
shotgun or a hunting rifle from a father to a son. That is allowed 
under our bill.
  And a further and more important sign of respect will come when we 
vote for final passage tomorrow to strengthen the right of those who 
obey the law by keeping those who break it away from your right to own 
a firearm.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  In closing, we can say we are opposed to the en bloc amendments for 
all of the reasons we have cited now in the last hour and a half on 
this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, as has been said over and over again on the floor of the 
House, H.R. 8 provides for the legal access to guns. It does not take 
away guns from any American.
  In addition, the Second Amendment is truly preserved with H.R. 8, and 
it is in compliance with the law which allows the regulation of guns, 
even with the Second Amendment.
  We ask our colleagues to support H.R. 8 and the en bloc amendments 
included therein.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time for debate has expired.
  Pursuant to House Resolution 188, the previous question is ordered on 
the amendments en bloc offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Nadler).
  The question is on the amendments en bloc.
  The en bloc amendments were agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair understands that amendment No. 7 
will not be offered.
  The previous question is ordered on the bill, as amended.
  The question is on the engrossment and third reading of the bill.


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  March 10, 2021, on page H1302, the following appeared: The 
question is on the engrossment and third reading of the bill, as 
amended.
  
  The online version has been corrected to read: The question is 
on the engrossment and third reading of the bill.


 ========================= END NOTE ========================= 


  The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was 
read the third time.


                           Motion to Recommit

  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the motion to 
recommit.
  The Clerk read as follows:
       Mr. Jordan moves to recommit the bill H.R. 8 to the 
     Committee on the Judiciary.

  The material previously referred to by Mr. Cline is as follows:
       At the end of the bill, add the following:

       (e) The Attorney General shall promulgate a regulation that 
     shall, in the case of a background check conducted by the 
     national instant criminal background check system established 
     under section 103 of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention 
     Act in response to a contact from an importer, a 
     manufacturer, or a dealer, licensed under chapter 44 of title 
     18, United States Code, which background check indicates that 
     the receipt of a firearm by a person would violate section 
     922(g)(5) of title 18, United States Code, a requirement that 
     the system notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.


[[Page H1303]]


  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX, the 
previous question is ordered on the motion to recommit.
  The question is on the motion to recommit.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the noes appeared to have it.
  Mr. JORDAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question 
are postponed.
  Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, further consideration of H.R. 8 
is postponed.

                          ____________________