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Linda Sánchez Statement on President Obama’s Executive Actions to Reduce Gun Violence

January 6, 2016

Washington, DC- Representative Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and a member of the Ways and Means Committee, this morning issued the following statement on President Obama’s executive actions to reduce gun violence:

“President Obama today took necessary executive actions to address the problem of gun violence in our country,” said Rep. Linda Sánchez. “However, his executive order can only go so far to making our country safer. Gun violence is an epidemic in the US with an average of more than 30 people killed every day by someone using a gun. Congress needs to do its part and pass common sense gun control legislation. Too many people are victims of gun violence every day in our country; and too many guns are ending up in the wrong hands. It is time to get past the overheated political rhetoric and allow common sense to prevail.”

BACKGROUND

The executive actions announced by the President today will make significant progress in the ongoing struggle to curb gun violence:

  • Toughening background checks nationwide: The President’s executive actions provide new guidance on existing federal laws, clarifying that any individual in the business of selling firearms must obtain a license through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and therefore conduct background checks on prospective gun purchasers. These actions also include new measures and resources to make the background check system more efficient and effective.
  • Protecting communities with bolstered enforcement: The executive actions take new steps to promote smart and effective enforcement of our gun laws – including a proposed increase in funding for more ATF agents, greater resources for tracking illegal online firearms trafficking and strengthened domestic violence outreach efforts.
  • Improving mental health services: The President is proposing increased investment to expand access to mental health care. Further, the executive actions remove barriers that prevent the reporting of relevant mental health information to the background check system.
  • Driving new research into gun safety: The executive actions direct the Departments of Defense, Justice and Homeland Security to conduct or sponsor research into new technology to make firearms safer.