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Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) voted to pass H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and H.R. 1446, the Enhanced Background Checks Act, two bipartisan commonsense gun violence prevention measures to require background checks on all gun sales and close the Charleston Loophole that allowed the hate crime at Mother Emanuel AME Church. In the 116th Congress, the House passed versions of these two bills in a strong, bipartisan manner.

“America is facing a gun violence epidemic that ends the lives of an average of 100 souls each day and tragically, throughout the coronavirus pandemic and economic crisis, the gun violence epidemic has only grown worse,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “El Pasoans know the indescribable pain and horror of gun violence and demand bold action, which is why I was proud to vote to pass these two landmark, bipartisan gun violence prevention bills to honor the victims, survivors, and communities impacted by gun violence.”

These two pieces of legislation include commonsense measures to end gun violence and make background checks universal:

• H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act – which requires a background check for every gun sale or transfer to ensure that individuals already prohibited from gun possession under federal law, such as felons, domestic abusers and those who are considered a danger to themselves or others, are not able to obtain firearms.
• H.R. 1446, the Enhanced Background Checks Act – which would end the Charleston Loophole that enabled the horrific hate crime at Mother Emanuel AME Church that killed nine innocent people.  The Charleston Loophole currently allows the sale of a firearm to proceed if a background check is not completed within three business days.

These bills are supported by an overwhelming, bipartisan majority of Americans. Over 90 percent of Americans support universal background checks – including 85 percent of gun-owning households, as well as dozens of leading law enforcement, veterans, local government, public health and other groups such as Major Cities Chiefs Association, VoteVets, Police Executive Research Forum, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the Hispanic American Police Commanders Association and the American Medical Association.

To view the bill text of the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, click here and Enhanced Background Checks Act, click here.