113th Congress

The Jan. 9 article “Gun control debate stirs Napa crowd,” covered well the gun violence prevention public forum held in Napa by our Rep. Mike Thompson to bring together law enforcement members, elected officials, mental health experts, school officials and the public to have a comprehensive discussion on how we can reduce and prevent gun violence in our community while protecting the Second Amendment rights of individuals.

WASHINGTON -- There aren't many Republican lawmakers publicly endorsing the idea of passing bills targeting gun violence, but Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) says he's talked to plenty of them in private who say they're ready to vote for measures that would restrict certain people's access to guns.

Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet with House Democrats' task force to reduce gun violence at 11 a.m. ET Monday. The House members joining Biden are: Reps. Mike Thompson (CA), Bobby Scott (VA), Chaka Fattah (PA), Carolyn McCarthy (NY), Jackie Speier (CA), Elizabeth Esty (CT), William Enyart (IL), Ed Perlmutter (CO), Bennie Thompson (MS), John Conyers (MI), John Dingell (MI) and Ron Barber (AZ).

Legislation to require background checks for gun purchases and to limit high-capacity ammunition magazines have the best chance of gaining bipartisan support to pass the U.S. House and Senate, said California Representative Mike Thompson.

Thompson, a Democrat and gun owner who is leading a House panel on gun violence prevention, returned to Washington today to meet with Vice President Joe Biden as the White House prepares to release its recommendations by tomorrow for legislative and executive actions to curb gun violence.

The central goal for the gun control movement following the Newtown shooting â€" expanded background checks for firearms purchases â€" is within reach, even with a divided Congress, the House Democratic leader on gun violence said Monday.

Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA), who's heading up the House Democrats' task force in the wake of the elementary school shooting said expanded background checks will “eventually” pass Congress, a prospect that should have the gun control community excited.

The House Democrat leading a task force on reducing gun violence says new background checks on gun purchasers and bans on extended magazine clips could win bipartisan support in Congress.

Speaking at the Center for American Progress on Monday, Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), the chairman of a congressional task force on gun prevention, said he could see both Republicans and Democrats supporting legislation on extended bullet magazines and background checks.

Legislation to require background checks for gun purchases and to limit high-capacity ammunition magazines have the best chance of gaining bipartisan support to pass the U.S. House and Senate, said California Representative Mike Thompson.

Thompson, a Democrat and gun owner who is leading a House panel on gun violence prevention, returned to Washington today to meet with Vice President Joe Biden as the White House prepares to release its recommendations by tomorrow for legislative and executive actions to curb gun violence.