Judiciary Cmte to Markup High-Capacity Magazine Ban Bill by Reps. Deutch, DeGette, Titus, Sen. Menendez

Statement

Today, the House Judiciary Committee announced it will hold a markup hearing on Wednesday, September 4 to begin considering gun violence prevention legislation, including the Keep Americans Safe Act.

This bill, co-introduced by Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22), Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01), Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01), and Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), would prohibit the transfer, importation, or possession of magazines able to hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.

"While Senate Majority Leader McConnell continues to block stronger gun laws we passed in February, House Judiciary Democrats will move forward with more bills that can save lives," Rep. Deutch said. "When the Judiciary Committee reconvenes, we will take up major gun violence prevention priorities, including my legislation to ban high-capacity magazines, the kinds of magazines used in so many recent mass shootings. There is only one purpose for a high-capacity magazine: to maximize human casualties and allow gunmen to fire more rounds of ammunition at a time without reloading. But those precious seconds it takes to reload can mean saving countless lives. Banning magazines that hold more than 10 rounds can reduce the magnitude of death and injury during mass shootings. This is a commonsense plan to save lives while still respecting law-abiding gun owners. Let's move forward on this proposal and show the American people that Congress won't settle for 'thoughts and prayers.'

"I'm glad the House Judiciary Committee is planning to mark up critical commonsense gun safety bills that will ultimately save lives, including our Keep Americans Safe Act," said Sen. Menendez. "High capacity magazines that hold more than ten rounds of ammunition are only good for high capacity killing and they have no place in our streets. It's time for the Senate Majority Leader and his Republican colleagues to work with Democrats in advancing similar legislation in the Senate."

"House Democrats are serious about protecting our communities from the epidemic of gun violence," Rep. Titus said. "Thank you Chairman Nadler for your courage to take action. Banning high-capacity magazines will save lives."

On August 6, 2019, Reps. Deutch, DeGette, and Titus and Sen. Menendez called on Congressional leaders to bring up the Keep Americans Safe Act.

On October 16, 2017, Rep. Deutch published an op-ed in the Miami Herald in which he urged his colleagues to pass the Keep Americans Safe Act.