Civic Register
| 3.29.18

Pair of Democrats Want Background Checks on Ammunition Purchases

Join us and tell your reps how you feel!

What’s the story?

  • Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida and Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut have proposed legislation that would require a background check for all firearm ammunition sales.

What would the Ammunition Background Check Act of 2018 do?

  • Currently, federal law prohibits felons, domestic abusers, and the mentally ill from purchasing ammunition—but does not require a background check to prevent the illegal purchases from occurring.

  • "Ammunition sales should be subject to the same legal requirements as firearm sales, and that includes instant background checks… Closing this ludicrous loophole is a common-sense component of a comprehensive strategy to reduce gun violence," Blumenthal said.

  • In a statement, Wasserman Schultz added that this "common-sense legislation" would close an “absurd loophole”:

"Studies show it can help keep ‘bad guys with guns’ from perpetrating another mass slaughter like the one we witnessed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in my Broward County community, or the thousands of other acts of gun violence that devastate communities across the country."

  • Federally licensed sellers would run the ammunition sales through the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System, commonly known as NICS.

What do you think?

Should Congress enact legislation requiring background checks on ammunition purchases? Hit Take Action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman

Related Reading

(Photo Credit: InkkStudios / iStock)