St. Helena Star: Thompson decries Senate's failure to pass gun bills

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) issued the following statement Monday after the Senate failed to pass amendments offered by Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) to help keep guns away from criminals, domestic abusers, the dangerously mentally ill and suspected terrorists.

Murphy’s amendment failed by a vote of 44-56 and would have required universal background checks for all gun purchases, including those made over the Internet or at gun shows. Feinstein’s amendment failed by a vote of 47-53 and would have prohibited individuals on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Terrorists Watchlist from legally purchasing firearms.

Thompson’s statement is as follows: “Congress has a responsibility to help keep the American people safe. After the worst mass shooting in our country’s history, a shooting that was also an act of terror and an act of hate, the American people deserve a Congress that is willing to stand up and do what it takes to help keep guns out of dangerous hands.

“That starts by passing common-sense legislation to make sure that individuals on the FBI’s Terrorists Watchlist can’t walk into a gun store, pass a background check and walk out with a weapon of their choosing – legally. This has happened more than 2,000 times since 2004 because today, suspected terrorists can legally buy guns in our country. I think that’s wrong. And so does the overwhelming majority of the American people. We also need to strengthen our background check system, which is our first line of defense when it comes to stopping dangerous people from getting firearms. However, 34 states don’t require a background check for purchases made at gun shows or over the Internet. This is a dangerous loophole that needs to be closed.

“Though both amendments failed to pass, I commend Senator Chris Murphy and his Democratic colleagues for demanding that the Senate take a vote on legislation to curb gun violence. It’s time for Republican leadership in the House to give us a vote on legislation to block suspected terrorist from buying guns and to strengthen our background check system for gun purchases. If Republicans agree that suspected terrorists, criminals, domestic abusers and the dangerously mentally ill shouldn’t have easy access to guns in our country, then give us a vote.”

Thompson has initiated a process to require a vote on H.R. 1076, the Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2015, notwithstanding House Republican opposition. The legislation, authored by Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), and co-authored by Thompson, would prohibit the sale of firearms to individuals on the FBI’s Terrorists Watch List. Thompson has also introduced bipartisan legislation (HR 1217) to require background checks for all commercial gun sales, including those made online or at a gun show.