Providing for Consideration of H.R. Bipartisan Background Checks Act of and Providing for Consideration of H.R. Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019

Floor Speech

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Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Raskin of the Rules Committee for yielding the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this rule and H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019. I am proud to be a cosponsor, and I thank Congressman Thompson for his leadership.

Our bill is intended to ensure that individuals who are prohibited from owning a firearm are not able to possess one.

Representative Raskin is right. America is in the midst of a gun violence emergency. Each year, 120,000 Americans are injured by a firearm; 35,000 Americans die; and of those, 17,000 who are injured and killed are children.

No other country in the world suffers the ravages of gun violence, and I am afraid we have become numb to it. But we don't have to accept it, and we are not, because we are going to finally pass legislation here today.

Mass shootings are on the rise. Military-style assault weapons are deadlier than ever. People are being gunned down in churches, schools, movie theaters, nightclubs, and synagogues.

For so many years, the Republican-led Congress blocked action on commonsense gun safety laws. But, finally, to the American people: We heard you; to the students who marched for their lives: We are finally going to act.

It is time now. I urge adoption of this bipartisan bill, the rule. It is a vote for the safety of our communities and our families.

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