WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Wednesday applauded the historic passage of the Bipartisan Background Checks Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. Murphy introduced the Senate counterpart bill, the Background Checks Expansion Act. 97% of Americans support universal background checks. The House also passed the Enhanced Background Checks Act, a bill aimed at closing the “Charleston loophole” in the background check system that made it possible for the gunman in Charleston’s Emanuel AME Church to purchase a firearm. Earlier today, Murphy delivered remarks on the floor of Senate in support of the House vote on background checks, and called on the Senate to hold hearings on gun violence prevention measures and pass his background checks bill.

“This is a historic day. The House today stood together to tell the gun lobby enough is enough,” said Murphy. “We are now just one step closer to this bill becoming law, and it would not have been possible if it weren’t for the tireless advocates all across America who have been working on this for years. Every American should be able to walk around their neighborhood or send their child off to school without the fear of someone, who under law should not have had access to a gun, opening fire.”

“Too many families have had to lay their loved ones to rest due to senseless gun violence, and a lot of those deaths could have been prevented. Background checks save lives and are supported by 97% of Americans. I am very happy to see the House beginning the overdue process of fixing our gun laws. Now it’s time for the Senate to do the same,” Murphy continued. 

Since his time in the Senate, Murphy has been a vocal critic of our nation’s gun laws. Earlier this week, Murphy held a national town hall with U.S. Representative Lucy McBath (GA-6), gun violence survivors, and gun violence prevention experts calling on Congress to take action on commonsense gun violence prevention measures. 

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