California Rep. Mike Thompson has put forward the Bipartisan Background Checks Act that would outlaw private firearm sales including sales from one family member to another if passed.
A second bill was sponsored by South Carolina Rep James Clyburn, the Enhanced Background Checks Act, which would allow the FBI to put a hold on the transferring of any firearm for a period of up to 30 days as opposed to the 3 days currently allowed.
“This bill increases the burden on small business firearm retailer owners and flips the burden of proof on its head. This would make it incumbent upon the law-abiding citizen to prove his or her innocence to the government to exercise their Second Amendment right to purchase a firearm instead of the government being responsible for proving an individual is prohibited. This could potentially deny a law-abiding citizen their rights for up to a month, while they are saddled with the burden of proving their innocence. That’s un-American,” Keane said.
He continued, “Rather than placing further burdens on retailer and law-abiding gun owners, Congress should focus on adequately resourcing NICS. NSSF is the only organization that has successfully advocated for NICS to have the necessary resources to perform its mission in a timely manner.”
The National Rifle Association called the introduction of both bills “sneaky” in a tweet alerting Second Amendment advocates to the moves.
“Late last night, Democrats in Congress introduced two EXTREME GUN CONTROL BILLS pushed by Biden & Pelosi,” the NRA tweeted Tuesday morning, referencing both Thompson’s and Clyburn’s legislation.
Make no mistake the Bipartisan Background Checks Act would outlaw private gun sales and would make it so law-abiding citizens have to talk to the government and be granted permission to sell firearms. The author of the bill, Mike Thompson, even made a statement to boast about this new legislation.
Proud to introduce #HR8, my Bipartisan Background Checks Act, a bill to expand background checks and save lives. We began our work to #EndGunViolence eight years ago after the tragedy at Sandy Hook and will not stop until we deliver for the American people https://t.co/WZ4n4pQBGF
— Mike (Wear A Mask) Thompson (@RepThompson) March 2, 2021
