It's Time For Universal Background Checks and #MassacreMitch Trends Across America

If Mitch McConnell didn't like "Moscow Mitch," he is going to hate "Massacre Mitch". His new #MassacreMitch nickname is trending across the country as Americans berate the Senate Majority Leader for inaction on gun control after the recent series of mass shootings, including yesterday's massacre in West Texas which left five dead and many more injured. 51 individuals have now died as the result of mass killings in August.

McConnell has refused to bring the Senate back from its summer recess to debate two background check bills passed by the house. He won't bring lawmakers back unless he senses there is some Republican support for the bills, and even after yesterday's killings, that is uncertain.

The two bills passed by the House would close loopholes in background checks required for gun purchases.

Axios: The two bills:

H.R. 8 would require background checks for all firearm sales, including those sold at gun shows and online.

H.R. 1112, spearheaded by Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), would "extend the background check review period deadline from three to 10 business days." Clyburn contends that this bill would close the "Charleston loophole" that mass shooter Dylann Roof used to obtain his firearm in 2015.

We wrote recently about new research from Boston University which found that universal background checks are effective in reducing gun violence as long as there are also laws preventing those with a history of violence from buying guns.

Siegel, Boston University: "What surprised us the most was that in states that enacted a combination of universal background-check laws, laws prohibiting the sale of guns to people with violent misdemeanors, and concealed carry permit laws, the homicide rates were 35 percent lower than in states with none of those three kinds of laws. The practice of keeping guns out of the hands of people who are at the greatest risk for violence—based on a history of violence—appears to be the most closely associated with decreased rates of firearm homicide."

#MassacreMitch #news #guns #guncontrol

By: Don Lam & Curated Content