After Nashville, Thompson Renews Calls for Universal Background Checks

Today, Chairman of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) released the following statement after the tragic mass shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee that took the lives of three children and three adults.

“Congress has the power to help save lives and reduce gun violence,” said Thompson. “The shooting in Nashville is an horrific tragedy that is going to leave a lasting impact on the students, teachers, staff, and the entire Covenant School community. It does not have to be like this, we can act and pass legislation to save lives.

“When will Republican leadership have the guts to stand up to the gun lobby and join us in passing reforms that will help keep our kids safe in school and save lives? Let’s put my Bipartisan Background Checks Act up for a vote and get it to President Biden. This legislation will reduce gun violence, and if my colleagues truly care about protecting American children, this is an easy step for them to take.”

Rep. Thompson and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) reintroduced the Bipartisan Background Checks Act on February 1, 2023.

Chairman Thompson has introduced background check legislation every Congress since the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary shooting which killed 20 children and six adult staff members. The Bipartisan Background Checks Act was first introduced in the 116th Congress by Rep. Thompson and was passed in the House by a vote of 240-190, and again passed in the 117th Congress and passed the House by a vote of 227-203. The bill languished in the Senate due to the filibuster.