Tom O`Halleran on Gun Control

Allow justifiable force as defense in gun cases

Support from Bloomfield Press: Arizona joins 48 states that recognize the burden to prove guilt in self-defense cases must remain on the state, and that every person must enjoy the presumption of innocence. SB 1145, also called the Castle Doctrine, did several other things to strengthen your right to defend yourself, your family, your home, and more.

Legislative Outcome:Passed House 41-15-4 on Apr/18/06; Passed Senate 26-1-3 on Apr/19/06; State Sen. Tom O`Halleran voted YES; Signed by Governor Janet Napolitano on Apr/24/06

Supports restrictions on right to bear arms.

The Christian Coalition Voter Guide inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Further Restrictions on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms' The Christian Coalition notes, "You can help make sure that voters have the facts BEFORE they cast their votes. We have surveyed candidates in the most competitive congressional races on the issues that are important to conservatives."

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.

  O`Halleran 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

  Click here for definitions & background information on Gun Control. Click here for HouseMatch answers by Tom O`Halleran. Click here for a summary of Tom O`Halleran's positions on all issues. Click here for a summary of Tom O`Halleran's positions on the AmericansElect.org quiz. Click here for contact information for Tom O`Halleran. Click here for a Wikipedia profile of Tom O`Halleran. Click here for a Ballotpedia profile of Tom O`Halleran. Click here for other AZ politicians. Click here for AZ primary archives. Click here for AZ secondary archives.
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