CHAIRMAN THOMPSON STATEMENT ON NICS FUNDING IN OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS BILL
U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5), chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, released a statement today on the $58.5 million included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 omnibus appropriations bill (H.R. 3547) to strengthen the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). The funding in the FY 2014 omnibus appropriations bill represents a $41.7 million increase in funding from FY 2013 levels. The additional funds will be used to help states improve data submissions to NICS.
"Making sure our background checks system has up-to-date information is an important step towards making sure criminals, domestic abusers and the dangerously mentally ill can't get their hands on guns. I applaud our appropriators for providing millions of dollars in new funding to help state's get their most current and comprehensive data into the NICS system.
"Now we need to finish the job by expanding comprehensive and enforceable background checks to all commercial firearm sales so these same prohibited purchasers can't bypass the NICS system by going to a gun show or buying a gun online."
In February 2013, Thompson's task force specifically recommended taking immediate action to ensure the NICS database was up-to-date. A full copy of the task force's report, including principle six dealing with NICS, can be seenhere.
Additionally, Thompson and U.S. Rep. Pete King (R-NY) are co-authors of H.R. 1565, bipartisan legislation to expand the current background check system to all commercial gun sales. Joining them are original co-authors Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Pat Meehan (R-PA), Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) and Peter Defazio (D-OR).
The bipartisan King-Thompson legislation is identical to the bipartisan agreement on background checks struck by A-rated NRA Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Pat Toomey (R-PA).
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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