U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut joined House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Thursday to support the passage of stricter gun laws.
One of their efforts is to close what’s called the Charleston loophole, which enables some firearms to be transferred by licensed gun dealers before the required background checks are complete if three businesses days have passed.
Blumenthal said that had this loophole been addressed, the 2015 mass shooting at Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston, South Carolina, wouldn’t have happened.
“Nine people, members of that congregation, would almost certainly be alive today if that killer hadn’t taken advantage of the Charleston loophole, a glaring gap in our laws,” said Blumenthal.
The House also passed HR 8, which would require background checks for gun sales and transfers by unlicensed and private sellers. Murphy said these laws are needed to create peace of mind in city neighborhoods.
“Even if you or your family member aren’t the immediate victim, fearing for your life every day of gun violence -- it literally forces your brain to go through traumas that affect your ability to learn, to cope, to build relationships -- that’s why this is so vitally important,” said Murphy.
Pelosi said these measures need to be passed to create a better, safer environment for the country's children.
“There is nobody in Congress whose political survival is more important as the survival of our children,” said Pelosi. “We think this should be as bipartisan in Congress as it is in the country. Overwhelmingly, there is broad support for background checks legislation.”
The bills now go to the Senate, where Democrats hold a slim majority. They’ll need significant Republican support to see the bills enacted into law.