PolitickerOne: 3 Ways Hillary Clinton Plans To Tackle Gun Violence If Elected President
During a campaign swing through New Hampshire on Monday, Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton is expected to unveil an ambitious plan to tackle gun violence, including calling for closure of background check loopholes and allowing victims to sue gun manufacturers, aides say.
Clinton, who has always called for greater gun control, escalated her rhetoric after last week’s shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon, where ten people were gunned down in a massacre, including the gunman. She echoed calls by President Barack Obama and other Democrats about the urgency of the problem.
Now, she is releasing her own tough plan to strengthen gun control in the U.S. Here are three things she would do as president, according to a fact sheet released Monday.
1. Push for comprehensive background checks: Up to 40 percent of all gun sales in the U.S. are conducted without background searches because a loophole in federal law does not cover unlicensed transfers online, at gun shows, and between anonymous strangers.
“Clinton will push Congress to close the ‘Charleston Loophole’ that allows a gun sale to proceed without a completed background check if that check is not complete within three days,” the statement reads. “The alleged Charleston shooter had a federal criminal record but was able to purchase a gun precisely because of this loophole.”
2. Repeal “Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act:” The measure signed by George W. Bush in 2005 protects the gun industry from lawsuits from victims of firearm violence.
“It is past time to repeal this law and hold the gun industry accountable just like everyone else. Clinton voted against this law in 2005 and will lead the charge to repeal it as president.”
3. Prevent the sale of guns to violent criminals, including domestic abusers, and the severely mentally ill: Aides say Clinton will support measures that ban all domestic abusers from buying and possessing guns, and improve an existing law prohibiting people suffering from severe mental illness from buying or possessing a gun.
“The ATF [Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives] should finalize its rulemaking to close loopholes in our laws and clarify that people involuntarily committed to outpatient treatment, such as the Virginia Tech shooter, are prohibited from buying guns.”
Clinton is not alone in her call for greater gun control. Democratic presidential candidates, including former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, have also called for tougher gun laws in the wake of mass shootings.
We must act aggressively to pass sensible gun-control and put an end to this awful epidemic of senseless slaughter. https://t.co/KGqKc1pjDw
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) October 2, 2015
It doesn’t matter who you support in this race—meaningful gun reform is something we should all fight for. pic.twitter.com/yrkKrl4gk8
— Martin O’Malley (@MartinOMalley) October 5, 2015
What do you think of Clinton’s plan and do you think gun control is the answer to relentless gun violence?
Read Clinton’s complete plan here.
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty
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