WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) voted to pass two commonsense gun violence prevention measures, H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, and H.R. 1446, the Enhanced Background Checks Act. She is a cosponsor of both bills, each of which passed with bipartisan support in the House.

“Gun violence isn’t a Democrat or Republican issue; it’s an American issue that we as a Congress must address,” said Houlahan. “Background checks have rightfully earned the overwhelming support of our community, Commonwealth and country, and that’s why I worked to get these bipartisan bills passed. I am grateful to all of you who’ve spoken so passionately about this issue and will continue to work alongside you as we work to build safer and more peaceful communities in Pennsylvania.”

“GunSenseUs applauds Representative Houlahan's decision to co-sponsor legislation to enhance background checks before the purchase of firearms,” said Starr Cummin Bright, Co-Chair at GunSenseUs. “Her advocacy for these commonsense laws, supported by the vast majority of the public, will help prevent gun injuries and deaths nationwide.”

H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, requires a background check for every gun sale or transfer to ensure that individuals already prohibited from gun possession under federal law, such as felons, domestic abusers and those who are considered a danger to themselves or others, are not able to obtain firearms.

H.R. 1446, the Enhanced Background Checks Act, would end the Charleston Loophole that enabled the horrific hate crime at Mother Emanuel AME Church that killed nine innocent people. The Charleston Loophole currently allows the sale of a firearm to proceed if a background check is not completed within three business days.

Houlahan is an Air Force veteran, an engineer, a serial entrepreneur, an educator and a nonprofit leader. She represents Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District, which encompasses Chester County and southern Berks County. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Small Business Committee.

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