WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Gun Violence Prevention Advocates, Leaders Applaud Administration's New Action to Expand Firearm Background Checks to Fight Gun Crime

Last week, the Biden-Harris Administration announced a new rule that will save lives by reducing the number of firearms sold without background checks. This final rule implements the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act's expansion of firearm background checks—the only significant expansion of the background check requirement since then-Senator Biden helped shepherd the Brady Bill over the finish line in 1993.

This action is part of the Biden-Harris Administration's strategy to stem the flow of illegally acquired firearms into our communities and hold accountable those who supply the firearms used in crime.

See below for what they are saying:

Brady United Against Gun Violence: "Even though 97% of Americans want universal background checks on gun sales, failure to close dangerous loopholes in the Brady Background Check system has contributed to approximately 1 in 5 guns being sold without a background check. President Biden JUST closed the 'gun-show loophole,' in a move that marks the biggest expansion of background checks since the 1993 Brady Bill, and will get us as close as possible to universal background checks without Congressional action. The President who has taken the most action of any president in history to #EndGunViolence has once again demonstrated that this is a #1 priority." [Statement, 4/11/24]

Giffords: "This is real, lifesaving change made possible by President Biden and the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The plan announced today addresses a gaping loophole that allowed unlicensed firearm dealers to sell guns without conducting background checks. For 10 years, we've been working to address this loophole, and over 300,000 Americans submitted comments in support of this change. Now, thousands more gun dealers will have to get a federal license and be required to run background checks — stopping dangerous people from buying guns, no questions asked. Thank you, @JoeBiden." [Statement, 4/11/24]

Guns Down Movement: "Today the Biden administration took action to implement the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act's expansion of the existing federal background check system! This new rule will expand background checks to tens of thousands of gun sales and close the dangerous gun show and online sale loopholes. In 2023, Guns Down America urged the ATF to address serious gaps in background checks for online gun sales. We applaud the White House for taking this vital action to protect our communities." [Statement, 4/11/24]

Everytown for Gun Safety: "For decades, unlicensed gun sellers have been able to exploit loopholes in our background check system and sell guns without background checks online and at gun shows. This new, life-saving rule will require more gun sellers to become licensed and run background checks." [Statement, 4/11/24]

March for our Lives: " BREAKING: The ATF just finalized a rule that CLOSES the gun show loophole, expanding background check requirements for online & gun show firearm purchases under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. For years, this glaring loophole let people who shouldn't have access to a gun otherwise slip through the cracks to get a deadly weapon and cause harm. Not anymore. This is HUGE. People will be saved because of this law. And it wouldn't have happened without the thousands of you who submitted comments to the Department of Justice demanding that this happen, or leadership from our friends in the Office of Gun Violence Prevention who are helping to implement the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. This will save lives!!!" [Statement, 4/11/24]

Moms Demand Action: "BREAKING: @TheJusticeDept and @ATFHQ just finalized a new, life-saving rule implementing the landmark Bipartisan Safer Communities Act that will require unlicensed gun sellers to become licensed and run background checks on their customers.
"Expanding background checks and closing the gun seller loophole is a massive victory for safer communities—and it was made possible thanks to the tireless advocacy of our grassroots movement. We're grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for continuing to do everything in its power to keep our communities safe from gun violence." - Moms Demand Action Executive Director Angela @FerrellZabala" [Statement, 4/11/24]

The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV): "When a male abuser has a firearm, the risk that he'll choose to shoot & kill a female partner increases by 1,000%. NNEDV applauds the Biden-Harris Administration for expanding background checks to keep guns away from dangerous individuals, like abusers." [Statement, 4/11/24]

Newtown Action Alliance: "Today @POTUS signed an executive order to save our lives! For almost 11 1/2 years, Newtown Action Alliance has fought for the continued expansion of background checks. We need a federal universal background check law. #EndGunViolence" [Statement, 4/11/24]

Teachers Unify: "Closing the "gun show loophole" will help keep children, families, schools, and communities safe! Thank you @potus! " [Statement, 4/11/24]

Team Enough: "BREAKING: The Biden Administration introduces a new rule to expand firearm background checks—another HISTORIC action to address the gun violence epidemic in this country. This will save lives." [Statement, 4/11/24]

Sandy Hook Promise: "Today the Biden administration announced the Dept. of Justice's final rule that strongly narrows the private gun sale loophole. We're energized to keep up the fight & will work to ensure that this isn't the last action we see on expanding background checks. @sandyhook #SHPAction [Statement, 4/11/24]

David Hogg: "March For Our Lives and our partners spent YEARS advocating for the Office of Gun Violence Prevention.? NOW IT'S REAL. Thank you for all those who advocated for years for this and made it possible. We are saving lives." [Statement, 4/11/24]

Fred Guttenberg: "I cannot overstate the significance of this expansion of Background Checks by the Biden Administration.? This is supported by upwards of 80% of Americans.? I will say it again, ELECTIONS TO HAVE CONSEQUENCES.? LIVES WILL BE SAVED BECAUSE OF THIS." [Statement, 4/11/24]

Gabby Giffords: "President Biden saved lives today. Since 2013, I've fought to close this loophole in our background check system. Now, more gun dealers will have to conduct background checks and fewer people intent on doing harm will be able to buy guns, no questions asked. Thank you, @POTUS" [Statement, 4/11/24]

Mark Barden, Co-Founder and CEO of Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund: "While today's victory can never take away the pain of having my youngest son taken from our family, it represents the power of our collective voices when we come together to keep kids safe.? We are energized to keep up the fight and will work day in and day out to ensure that this isn't the last action we see on expanding background checks."? [Statement, 4/11/24]

Mia Tretta: "Two years ago today I was invited to speak at the White House & introduce President Biden. Since this day the work the Biden administration has done to end gun violence, to regulate ghost guns, and now close the gun show loophole is second to none. #BidenHarris #GVP #Biden2024" [Statement, 4/11/24]

Shannon Watts, Founder of Moms Demand Action: "The federal gun background check system is one of the best ways away from prohibited purchasers, including domestic abusers and other violent criminals. But loopholes have given domestic abusers, school shooters, violent criminals, and gun traffickers easy access to guns. The Biden-Harris Administration has done more than any other in history to stop the illegal flow of guns, including cracking down on rogue gun dealers and stopping gun manufacturers that illegally sell ghost guns. #biden" [Statement, 4/11/24]

Senator Tammy Duckworth: "With gun violence being the #1 killer of children in America, we should be doing everything we can to end this crisis. This new rule would help us close the gun show loophole, expand background checks, save lives. Now, it's time for Republicans to help us do more, too." [Statement, 4/11/24]

Senator Richard Blumenthal: "Strengthening our background check system & closing the gun seller loophole will save lives. Great to see the Biden Admin implementing the Bipartisan Safety Communities Act & stemming the flow of illegally acquired firearms." [Statement, 4/11/24]

Senator Mark Kelly: "We're finally addressing the gun show loophole and expanding background checks. Thanks to the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act that I was proud to help pass, we're making communities safer and saving lives while protecting Arizonans' Second Amendment rights." [Statement, 4/11/24]

Senator Amy Klobuchar: "In 2022 I worked to pass bipartisan gun safety legislation to expand background checks, keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers, and more. Today we are implementing a crucial part of the law by requiring background checks for purchases at gun shows and online." [Statement, 4/11/24]

Senator Raphael Warnock: "We have a moral urgency to curb gun violence & keep our communities safe with common-sense reforms. Since I arrived to the Senate, I've pushed the @WhiteHouse to strengthen background checks. The Administration's new action on gun violence will help prevent future tragedies." [Statement, 4/11/24]

Senator Elizabeth Warren: "The Biden admin just announced the most significant expansion of federal background checks in a generation. This rule will eliminate loopholes that have allowed dangerous gun buyers to slip through the cracks. I've been fighting for this action that will help save lives." [Statement, 4/11/24]

Senator Chris Murphy: "President Biden implemented the last big part of the 2022 gun safety bill today. It will require thousands of currently unlicensed gun dealers to perform background checks. It's going to save a ton of lives and I want to tell you why." [Statement, 4/11/24]

Representative Lucy McBath: "I came to Congress after my son was murdered. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is now being implemented in our everyday lives to stop the horror of gun violence. Thank you @POTUS, @VP, and @WHOGVP46. Our movement to #EndGunViolence is strong. [Statement, 4/11/24]

Representative Maxwell Frost: "From Columbine to Sandy Hook, background check loopholes & unlicensed gun dealers have caused pain for so many. So we marched for those we lost, organized, passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, and now @POTUS has gotten us one massive step closer to ending gun violence." [Statement, 4/11/24]

Representative Jerry Nadler: "Today's announcement means @TheJusticeDept
is ready to substantially close the gun show loophole, a bold step towards keeping guns out of the hands of felons and other dangerous actors.? By closing this gap in our federal background check system, the Biden Administration will stem the flow of illegal firearms into our communities and save families from the unimaginable pain of losing a loved one. I applaud @POTUS' commitment to answering the call of millions of Americans demanding action on gun violence, and Congress must now finish the job by signing universal background checks into law." [Statement, 4/11/24]

Representative Mary Gay Scanlon: "Today, @POTUS took a critical step to prevent gun violence by closing background check loopholes and holding firearm sellers accountable. This will keep guns out of the hands of bad actors and stem gun violence in our communities." [Statement, 4/11/24]

Representative Abigail Spanberger: "BIG NEWS: The Biden Administration just finalized a rule to eliminate dangerous loopholes that have allowed guns to be sold without background checks online and at gun shows. I'm proud to have voted for this reform that will save lives by keeping guns out of dangerous hands." [Statement, 4/11/24]

Representative Jennifer McClellan: "NEW: @POTUS and @VP expanded background checks for online firearm sales and closed the dangerous gun show loophole. This rule will save lives and keep guns out of the hands of abusers and felons. I will keep working with the Biden-Harris Administration to prevent gun violence." [Statement, 4/11/24]

Representative Robert Garcia: "Today the Biden administration has delivered a huge victory for gun reform by closing the gun show loophole. Over 300 Americans a day are victims of gun violence. Gun show background check requirements are an essential and long overdue step in ending this gun violence epidemic." [Statement, 4/11/24]

Representative Mike Quigley: "In 2016, I visited a gun show to try & understand America's gun obsession. After that visit, I shared what I learned on the House floor. At these shows, you don't even need a background check to buy an assault rifle. Today, the White House finally closed the gun show loophole." [Statement, 4/11/24]

Representative James E. Clyburn: "This week the Biden Administration implemented the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act's expansion of background checks — the most significant expansion of background checks for gun purchases in 3 decades. Closing the gun show loophole will save lives." [Statement, 4/11/24]

Governor Dan McKee: "Over 20,000 currently unlicensed gun dealers will now be required to get licensed and perform background checks. This action will save lives. Grateful to @POTUS
for implementing new federal policies to keep our communities safe." [Statement, 4/11/24]

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham: "A new ATF rule made possible by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act signed by @POTUS in 2022 eliminates any remaining gray area. It's this simple: If you're selling firearms, online or in person, you must run a background check." [Statement, 4/11/24]