Georgia Congresswoman and gun control advocate Lucy McBath saw a gun control bill she originally co-sponsored get passed by the House of Representatives last week.
McBath, who is a member of the House Judiciary Committee, helped lead the passage of H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 240 – 190.
The resolution was introduced by Rep. Mike Thompson of California and was co-sponsored by more than two hundred and thirty of their colleagues. The passage of this act marks the first time Congress has passed a bill ensuring that all firearm sales would be subject to background checks.
“Today marks a pivotal moment in the fight to reduce gun violence and to help ensure that firearms are not falling into the wrong hands. The overwhelming bipartisan public support for universal background checks reflects the power of advocacy, and the incredible persistence of the survivors, family members, and students who have shared their stories as they call for common-sense gun safety solutions and demand that we act to address gun violence,” McBath said. “Congress has taken a historic step towards ending unnecessary gun violence. I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to keep firearms out of the hands of people who should not have them.”
You can watch McBath’s speech during the floor debate on the bill here.
Gun violence hits home for McBath, who’s son, Jordan Davis, would have turned 24 this year. He was 17 years old when he was shot and killed by a man who opened fire on a car of unarmed teenage boys at a gas station in Jacksonville, Florida, in 2012.
This bipartisan bill ensures background check procedures are followed for all gun sales, including sales made by unlicensed dealers.
Lucy McBath is a democrat who represents Georgia’s 6th district.
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