Gun shows

October 9, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- Reps. Mike Castle (R-DE) and Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), House architects of the Gun Show Loophole Closing Act (HR 2324), today praised Mayor Bloomberg's undercover investigation by the City of New York of illegal sales of firearms at gun shows in three states, and the report's recommendation for closing the gun show loophole.

Reps. Castle and McCarthy believe that now is the ideal time for HR 2324 to gain traction in Congress as Senator Frank Lautenberg introduced similar legislation and on the 2008 Presidential campaign trail, the concept enjoyed the bipartisan support of both candidates.    » read more »

October 7, 2009 -- (Washington, DC) - U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Queens/L.I.) today issued the following statement on New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s undercover investigation of illegal firearm sales at gun shows.

“I praise Mayor Bloomberg for launching this unprecedented undercover investigation of illegal sales at gun shows. This sting further exposes the ease with which felons and other individuals who are prohibited from purchasing guns can do so, and, most alarmingly, can do so without background checks.

The gun show loophole continues to be a very serious problem. The mayor’s investigation highlights the necessity of Congress passing the Gun Show Loophole Closing Act (H.R. 2324) of which I am proud to be a cosponsor.    » read more »

NJ Senator Is Author of Legislation To Require Background Checks At Gun Shows

October 7, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), the author of legislation to close the gun show loophole, today applauded a City of New York investigation that exposed overwhelming evidence that criminals and terrorists can easily access firearms at gun shows.    » read more »

One Year Anniversary Of Virginia Tech Shootings

April 16, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) was joined by Virginia Tech shooting victims and their families and gun safety advocates in front of the Supreme Court in calling on Congress to take up and pass his bill to close the gun show loophole.

Gun show, Houston: Photo by mx5tx (CC)

Similar events to the one at the Supreme Court were held across the country today to mark the one year anniversary of the Virginia Tech shootings, protest easy access to guns and call on Congress to pass Sen. Lautenberg’s legislation.    » read more »

Would make existing law apply to gun show purchases

January 8, 2008 -- RICHMOND – Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced a legislative proposal to close the gun show loophole in existing laws requiring instant background checks for firearms purchases. The Governor made the announcement standing with family members of students killed or injured in April’s Virginia Tech shootings, as well as legislators and members of the law enforcement community.    » read more »