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THOMPSON: GET THE FACTS, READ THE BILL AND SEND FEEDBACK ON BIPARTISAN BACKGROUND CHECK BILL

July 22, 2015

Webpage offers public an opportunity to read Thompson’s Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act and Email Feedback

Washington, D.C. – A new webpage, https://mikethompson.house.gov/backgroundchecks, provides the public with easy and open access to get the facts, read the bill and provide feedback on U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson's (CA-5) bipartisan legislation to expand the existing background check system to cover all commercial firearm sales, including those at gun shows, over the internet or in classified ads.

"I want make sure the public has easy access the facts about my background check bill and for people to have the opportunity to provide thoughtful and constructive feedback," said Thompson. "I am a gun owner and supporter of the Second Amendment. People deserve the opportunity to learn for themselves that this bill isn't about restricting the rights of law-abiding Americans – it's about keeping guns from criminals, domestic abusers, drug addicts and the dangerously mentally ill."

The public can provide feedback on the legislation by emailing backgroundchecks.thompson@mail.house.gov.

In March, U.S. House members introduced H.R. 1217, the bipartisan King-Thompson background check legislation. The bill, authored by Thompson and Pete King (R-NY), expands the existing background check system to cover all commercial firearm sales, including those at gun shows, over the internet or in classified ads while providing reasonable exceptions for family and friend transfers. The King-Thompson bill was co-authored by Reps. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Pat Meehan (R-PA), Bob Dold, (R-IL), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Elizabeth Esty (D-CT) and Kathleen Rice (D-NY).

The legislation also supports the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners. It bans the government from creating a federal registry and makes the misuse of records a felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison. It provides reasonable exceptions for firearms transfers between family members, friends and hunting buddies. It allows active military personnel to buy guns in the state in which they are stationed. It permits interstate handgun sales from licensed dealers. And, under the bill, background checks would continue to be conducted in the same manner as they have for more than 40 years.

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. 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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