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CHAIRMAN THOMPSON STATEMENT ON NEW POLL SHOWING OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR BACKGROUND CHECKS

July 3, 2014

WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5), chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, released the following statement on today's Quinnipiac University Poll that found 92 percent of American voters, including 92 percent of gun owners, support requiring background checks on all gun purchases. The poll also showed 86 percent of Republicans support background checks.

"As a hunter, gun owner and supporter of the Second Amendment, I am proud to count myself among the 92 percent of American gun owners who support background checks for gun sales," said Thompson. "I've authored bipartisan legislation to expand background checks to all commercial gun sales, and the only thing standing in the way of it passing is the Republican Majority in the House. It's time they listen to the 92 percent of American gun owners who support background checks and bring our bill up for a vote – because if the Republican Majority would allow a vote, my bill would pass. "

Thompson and U.S. Rep. Pete King (R-NY) are co-authors of H.R. 1565, legislation that would expand the current background check system to all commercial sales. The bipartisan King-Thompson legislation is identical to the bipartisan agreement on background checks struck by Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Pat Toomey (R-PA), and supported by a bipartisan majority in the Senate. 189 House members have cosponsored the King-Thompson bill.

Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.

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