WEIS Radio Morning Show Host Jerry Baker welcomed a visitor to the studios on Thursday, to discuss something that, on some level, in one way or another, affects everyone across the country and in our local communities. That is the issue of gun ownership, gun rights, safety and legislation on all levels.
Natalie Walls, a local resident who attended school at Sand Rock and Cherokee County High School, and is now a 19 year old sophomore at Jacksonville State University stopped in talk about an organization that she is currently working with – “Friends Committee on National Legislation” and she recently met with both Senator Richard Shelby and Congressman Mike Rogers regarding two pieces of legislation that FCNL strongly supports:
While there are many different facets to the arguments around each individual issue, Walls stressed the need for an overall common-sense approach to the ownership of firearms:
To hear Thursday morning’s interview in its entirety click the link below:
FCNL SUPPORTS UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS
The gun violence epidemic facing our country is a public health crisis that can be avoided –but only if Congress takes action.
Today, federally licensed firearms dealers are required to check the buyer’s background in a database that tracks criminal and mental health histories as well as civil orders.
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Since this process was enacted, over 3 million people have been denied firearms. However, it’s estimated that 22 percent of U.S. gun owners acquired their most recent gun without a background check.
Current law does not require individuals buying guns from private sellers or on the internet to pass a background check. Universal background checks are a systematic way to prevent dangerous people from obtaining guns. We urge Congress to pass legislation that would require federal background checks for all firearm purchases.
Support universal background checks for all gun sales. Co-sponsor S. 42
- In states that required background checks for all handgun sales, 47% fewer women are shot to death by their intimate partners, there were 47% fewer firearm suicides, and 53% fewer law enforcement officers are shot and killed in the line of duty.
- An estimated 22% of gun transfers take place without a background check, usually online or at gun shows.
- S. 42 would require unlicensed dealers, like those over the internet or at gun shows, to use the same background check system as licensed dealers.
- The vast majority of Americans support universal background checks. Polls consistently show more than 90% of gun owners and non-gun owners support the policy. Background checks also have strong support among NRA members, with at least 69% supporting comprehensive background checks.
FCNL Contact: Andre Gobbo, andre@fcnl.org
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THE FCNL SUPPORTS EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDERS
The gun violence epidemic facing our country is a public health crisis that can be avoided – but only if Congress takes action.
In many cases of gun violence, there are warning signs that shooters are at risk of harming themselves or others.
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Although family members of the shooter at Parkland, FL had contacted law enforcement, there was no clear process to restrict his access to guns.
Extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) allow families, household members, and/or law enforcement to petition courts to restrict an individual’s access to guns, while creating a process for appeals. ERPOs are a crucial policy that help remove guns from someone who is a threat to themselves or others. H.R. 1236 provides federal funding to support state, tribal, and local efforts to educate, train, and provide guidance on how to effectively implement this policy.
Support extreme risk protection orders. Co-sponsor H.R. 1236
- In the state of Connecticut from 1999-2013, for every estimated 10-20 extreme risk protection orders issued, at least one suicide was prevented.
- Fraudulent ERPOs are rarely filed. Police found firearms in 99% of instances when an order was issued, removing an average of seven guns per order.
- 15 states and the District of Columbia have either passed or enacted an extreme risk law at the state level.
- H.R. 1236 requires that at least 25% of all federal funds go towards training members of law enforcement. This funding is critical, as members of law enforcement are often on the front lines of enforcing and implementing ERPOs.
Contact:
Andre Gobbo, Domestic Policy Associate, andre@fcnl.org / July 2019
