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Barbara Lee on Gun Control

Democratic Representative (CA-9)

 


Banning assault weapons a crucial and long-overdue action

[On "From Sandy Hook to Parkland to Uvalde, AR-15 style firearms have been the weapon of choice for shooters looking to kill as many people as quickly as possible. They have no place in our schools, our streets, or anywhere in our communities. Banning assault weapons is a crucial and long-overdue action that will save lives. We cannot rest until our laws ensure our schools, grocery stores, places of worship, hospitals, and all of our communities are safe."
Source: 2024 California Senate campaign website Lee.House.gov , Jul 19, 2022

Rated F by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun control voting record.

Lee scores F by NRA on pro-gun rights policies

While widely recognized today as a major political force and as America`s foremost defender of Second Amendment rights, the National Rifle Association (NRA) has, since its inception, been the premier firearms education organization in the world. But our successes would not be possible without the tireless efforts and countless hours of service our nearly three million members have given to champion Second Amendment rights and support NRA programs.

The following ratings are based on lifetime voting records on gun issues and the results of a questionaire sent to all Congressional candidates; the NRA assigned a letter grade (with A+ being the highest and F being the lowest).

Source: NRA website 02n-NRA on Dec 31, 2003

Close the Gun Show Loophole; restrict show sales.

Lee signed H.R.2324& S.843

    Makes it unlawful for any person to operate a gun show unless such person:
  1. has attained 21 years of age;
  2. is not prohibited from transporting, shipping, or receiving firearms and has not violated any federal firearms requirements;
  3. has registered with the Attorney General as a gun show operator and has provided a photograph and fingerprints;
  4. has not concealed material information nor made false statements in connection with a gun show operator registration; and
  5. notifies the Attorney General of the date, time, and duration of a gun show not later than 30 days before the commencement of such show and verifies the identity of each vendor at the gun show.
Imposes recordkeeping requirements on gun show operators and criminal penalties for failure to register as a gun show operator and maintain required records. Increases criminal penalties for serious recordkeeping violations and violations of criminal background check requirements. Authorizes the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to hire additional investigators to carry out inspections of gun shows.
Source: Gun Show Loophole Closing Act 09-HR2324 on May 7, 2009

Ban "fire sale" of firearms after delicensing closure.

Lee co-sponsored Fire Sale Loophole Closing Act

The Fire Sale Loophole Closing Act makes it unlawful for:

Source: H.R.93 13-HR0093 on Jan 3, 2013

Ban large-capacity ammunition.

Lee co-sponsored Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Act

Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act

Source: H.R.138&S.33 13-HR0138 on Jan 3, 2013

Repeal "stand-your-ground" laws.

Lee co-sponsored Resolution on Gun Violence

Congressional Summary:

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.

Source: H.Res.318 13-HR318 on Jul 25, 2013

Require background check for every firearm sale and transfer.

Lee voted YEA the Bipartisan Background Checks Act

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