[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 5797]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS

  (Ms. KUSTER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. KUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to read into the Record a 
letter that I received today from a 7-year-old in my district:

       Dear Congresswoman Kuster. My name is Noah Dutille. I am a 
     second grader at Plymouth Elementary School. I am hoping that 
     you will help make sure no other kids are hurt by guns. Thank 
     you for your service. Sincerely, Noah.

  In my district, 90 percent of my constituents support universal 
background checks, including 75 percent of those who are members of the 
National Rifle Association. Mr. Speaker, 6.5 million guns sold each 
year in the United States are sold by unlicensed private sellers, 
including online and gun show sales, and 40-50 percent of all gun sales 
have no criminal background check. In fact, a recent national survey of 
inmates revealed that 80 percent of those who used a handgun in a crime 
acquired it through a private transfer.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Noah and all of the families in my 
district, I ask that we schedule a vote to keep our families safe.

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