Today’s Action: Tell your Members of Congress to support universal background checks

Approximately 90% of Americans support universal background checks on gun purchases. And now, both chambers of Congress have bills under consideration that reflect this. Democrats have introduced legislation that requires background checks on nearly all gun sales, including the elimination of major loopholes such as internet purchases and gun shows.

The bills are also simple: they don’t include any gun reform beyond background checks. Republicans will be forced to finally answer whether they’re for or against this common sense and incredibly popular safety precaution, rather than hiding behind the excuses around more controversial measures.

As the government shutdown continues, Democrats are committed to passing a spending bill before any other legislation — but they can still cosponsor this much-needed bill.

Call or email your Members of Congress and tell them you support universal background checks. Ask them to cosponsor the bill if they haven’t, and thank them if they already have! Click to see Senate and House co-sponsors.

An improved background check system might have prevented the 2015 white supremacy-inspired mass shooting at a historic Black church in Charleston, SC…ditto to the 2017 Sutherland Springs shooting that killed 25. And a Washington State study found that 1-in-10 online gun purchases were made by individuals who would have been otherwise prevented by background checks due to rape, domestic violence, and other charges.

Universal background checks are, of course, not the ‘final answer’ in gun safety (Parkland, Las Vegas, and other shooters used guns purchased with a background check). But, there is no question that it would save lives. An improved process is a first of many needed steps to not only help prevent future mass shootings…but save thousands of lives lost each year that never make the headlines.

Email or call (202.224.3121) your Members of Congress and ask for their support and co-sponsoring of universal background check legislation. And if they’ve already co-sponsored (Senate/House), thank them!