Bills
| 3.23.22

Does Congress Need to Promise to Take Action on Gun Violence? (H. Res. 468)

Do you support or oppose this bill?

What is H. Res. 468?

(Updated October 2, 2017)

This bill essentially states that members of the House of Representatives believe that: 
  • Gun violence is a public health issue;
  • They need to work together to create legislation that both protects a person's right to bear arms (the Second Amendment), while keeping communities safe;
Such a plan under this resolution would need to include more background checks on commercial firearm sales, better mental health programs nationally, and harsher punishments for illegal firearm purchases. This is specific to gun trafficking straw purchasing (when a person buys a gun for someone who cannot purchase one for themselves). 

Argument in favor

Gun violence is a public health issue that Congress has failed again and again to address. This resolution will make lawmakers promise to create and pass comprehensive legislation.

Argument opposed

Resolutions are like empty promises, the House will look good passing H.Res. 468, but won't be forced to do anything. Not to mention, this resolution doesn't ask any promises of the Senate.

Impact

Sponsoring Reps. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), and Elizabeth Esty (D-CT), members of the House of Representatives, and the gun lobby.

Cost of H. Res. 468

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

Of Note:

Of the dozens of bills addressing the prevalence of gun violence introduced to the 113th Congress, not one has been brought to the House floor for a vote. This lack of action on gun violence is the motivating factor behind Sponsoring Rep. Alan Lowenthal's (D-CA) resolution.  

While gun violence is an easy thing to rally around, according to a Pew Research survey, you might be more interested in gun rights than gun control:

 

Media: 

Sponsoring Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) Press Release


(Photo Credit: Flickr user Dean Hochman)