Press Releases

Congressman John Joyce (PA-13) today opposed H.R. 8, a measure that would require an unprecedented expansion in background checks for all firearm sales. Later this week he will vote against H.R. 1112, additional legislation to make it harder to obtain a firearm from private retailers - Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs).

Under current law, if an FFL initiates a background check, but does not receive a determination from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) within three business days, the FFL may proceed with the firearms transfer while the FBI continues to investigate the matter. H.R. 1112 would prohibit FFLs from proceeding with transactions not authorized by NICS for a minimum of 20 days.

“These bills will do nothing to curb mass violence in this country and are unnecessary burdens on the Second Amendment rights of the legal gun owners,” said Congressman Joyce. “We already have a strong background check system in place thanks to legislation signed last Congress by President Trump. These measures do not keep guns out of the hands of criminals and instead would make criminals out of law abiding citizens and prevent them from being able to defend themselves.”

Earlier this week Joyce cosponsored H.R. 1339, the Mass Violence Protection Act of 2019. The bill is designed to address the challenges that have contributed to some of the nation’s recent tragedies, including failed coordination and response efforts by law enforcement.

The Mass Violence Protect Act:

• Establishes an FBI fusion center to help local, state and federal law enforcement work together to identify potential threats and respond to them in a timely manner
  • This fusion center will employ information sharing tactics modeled after those that the Department of Justice has used to successfully combat terrorism

• Strengthens penalties for the robbery of a Federal Firearms Licensee in order to deter the sale of firearms on the black market

• Authorizes the Department of Justice to hire additional manpower to prosecute gun violence cases under Project Safe Neighborhoods

Joyce said of the legislation, “If Democrats are truly committed to putting a stop to some of the tragedies that have plagued our country in recent years they should stop holding show votes and bring commonsense reforms like the Mass Violence Protect Act to the floor. Safe gun owners are not responsible for school shootings like Parkland - the failures of law enforcement to properly interdict are, and this measure will give the FBI the tools it needs to put a stop to the heinous acts of violence occurring in this country without infringing on the Second Amendment.”

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