Our First Line of Defense

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, more than 80 percent of NRA members and over 80 percent of gun owners support background checks. It is because they are responsible gun owners. Responsible gun owners understand that there is nothing wrong with making sure that a prospective gun buyer isn't a terrorist, a criminal, a domestic abuser, or dangerously mentally ill.

Our first line of defense when it comes to making sure that guns don't fall into dangerous hands is to conduct a background check. But sadly, a gaping loophole allows those same felons, domestic abusers, and fugitives to bypass a background check in 34 States by going online or to a gun show.

That is why it is long past time for the Republican leadership to allow a vote on H.R. 1217, bipartisan, pro-Second Amendment legislation to require background checks for all commercial gun sales. This debate isn't a choice between respecting the Second Amendment or reducing gun violence.

As a responsible gun owner, I am tired of it being framed that way. It is about this Congress doing both. Mr. Speaker, give us a vote.

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