Karen Bass on Gun Control

Supports restricting gun purchase & possession.

Project Vote Smart infers candidate issue stances on key topics by summarizing public speeches and public statements. Candidates are given the opportunity to respond in detail; about 16% did so in the 2010 races.

Project Vote Smart summarizes candidate stances on the following topic: 'Gun Issues: Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?'

Ban large-capacity ammunition.

Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act

• to prohibit the transfer or possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, except for its lawful possession within the United States on or before the date of this Act's enactment; and
• the importation or bringing into the United States of such a device (with some exceptions).
• Identification Markings: Requires a large capacity ammunition feeding device manufactured after this Act's enactment to be identified by a serial number that clearly shows that the device was manufactured after enactment.
• Whoever knowingly violates this law shall be fined, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.

Repeal "stand-your-ground" laws.

Congressional Summary:

• Urges Congress to enact legislation based on the President's recommendations to reduce gun violence
• Urges state legislatures to reject proposed stand-your-ground legislation
• Urges states to repeal enacted stand-your-ground laws.
• Condemns gun violence
• Condemns relevant parties for their roles in obstructing the ability of communities to be safe from gun violence and in proposing stand-your-ground legislation and similar legislation that compromises public safety and the integrity of the prosecutorial system, and
• Condemns all efforts to weaken gun laws and proposals that stand in the way of comprehensive gun law reform.

Proponent's argument for bill:Rep. KELLY (D-IL): As a Nation, we shudder at tragedies like the Newtown shootings. Yet sadly, every day, equally devastating acts of gun violence occur in urban America, often without the same media coverage. Since Newtown, over 6,000 Americans have lost their lives to gun violence. Still, Congress has yet to act on commonsense gun reforms that would save lives.

Opponent's argument against bill:(National Rifle Association editorial in USN&WR): "Stand your ground" or "no duty to retreat" laws recognize that a person who is attacked in any place where that person has a right to be, may use defensive force without first being required to retreat. This is important, because determining whether a safe retreat is available may require a split-second calculation that could end up being a losing gamble for the innocent person who is under attack. Criminals don't always back off when their victims retreat. Despite the Obama administration's assertion that "stand your ground" laws are a new concept in self-defense, they are in fact founded in common sense, natural law, and are well enshrined in American jurisprudence.

Require background check for every firearm sale and transfer.

H.R.8: To require a background check for every firearm sale. This Act may be cited as the "Background Check Expansion Act".

• It shall be unlawful for any person who is not a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer to transfer a firearm to any other person who is not so licensed [and conducted a background check].
• The [restrictions] shall not apply to any law enforcement officer, or member of the armed forces, or bona fide gift between spouses, between parents and their children, or between siblings or [immediate family members].
• Temporary transfers [are allowed] if the transferor has no reason to believe that the transferee will use or intends to use the firearm in a crime or is prohibited from possessing firearms; at a shooting range; or while reasonably necessary for the purposes of hunting.

  Opposing argument from the Heritage Foundation, 2/26/2019: Heritage Action opposes the Bipartisan Background Checks Act (H.R. 8) and will include it as a key vote on our legislative scorecard. This legislation would require universal background checks for all firearm sales (even private) with specific exceptions. Unfortunately, universal background checks would do little to prevent firearm violence and would instead make it more difficult for law-abiding citizens to purchase, own, carry, and use a firearm. Studies show that universal background checks are largely ineffective when it comes to preventing mass shootings. In addition, most people imprisoned for firearm-related crimes access their firearms illegally through theft, the underground market, family members, or friends. H.R. 8 is poorly written and makes criminals out of many law-abiding Americans who commonly make low-risk firearm transfers.

  Legislative outcome Roll call 99 in House on 2/27/2019 passed 240-190-2; introduced in Senate 1/8/2019; no action as of 3/28/2020.

  Source: Congressional vote 19-HR0008 on Feb 27, 2019

  Sponsored bill for background checks for private transfers.

  Bass co-sponsored Background Check Expansion Act

  H.R.8 - Bipartisan Background Checks Act: This bill establishes new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties (i.e., unlicensed individuals). Specifically, it prohibits a firearm transfer between private parties unless a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer first takes possession of the firearm to conduct a background check. The prohibition does not apply to gifts between spouses in good faith.

  Heritage Action opinion to vote NO (Feb. 26, 2019): This legislation would require universal background checks for all firearm sales (even private). Unfortunately, universal background checks would do little to prevent firearm violence and would instead make it more difficult for law-abiding citizens to purchase, own, carry, and use a firearm. Studies show that universal background checks are largely ineffective when it comes to preventing mass shootings. In 19 of the most recent high-profile cases, the shooters bought their firearms legally and passed all the required background checks.

  White House Statement (Biden's opinion to vote YES): Gun violence is a public health crisis. Every day, gun violence--community violence, domestic violence, suicides, and mass shootings--takes American lives and forever alters many more. Last year, we saw record levels of homicides in cities throughout our country. The Federal gun background check system is a proven tool to reduce gun violence and save lives. This system, called the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, has kept millions of guns out of potentially dangerous hands. The Administration encourages closing existing loopholes in this system [such as private transfers in H.R. 8].

  Legislative Outcome: Passed House 227-203-1 on 03/11/2021 (rollcall #75); introduced in Senate with 36 co-sponsors; no further Senate action during 2021.

  Source: S.529/H.R.8 21-S529 on Mar 1, 2021

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  2021-22 Governor, House and Senate candidates on Gun Control:			Karen Bass on other issues:
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  Page last updated: Jun 19, 2022; copyright 1999-2022 Jesse Gordon and OnTheIssues.org