Over 58 Million Americans Oppose McCain-Lieberman And Support Reed Gun Show Loophole Bill Represented By 58 Organizations
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WASHINGTON, July 18 /U.S. Newswire/ -- A group of 58 organizations oppose the McCain-Lieberman gun show bill (s. 890), [B]warning that the bill would open more loopholes than it would close.[/B] The groups include Consumer Federation of America, Violence Policy Center, Children's Defense Fund, Physicians for Social Responsibility, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, and the National Network to End Domestic Violence.
The McCain-Lieberman bill sets weaker standards for non-licensed gun sellers versus licensed dealers, reduces the time for law enforcement to do adequate background checks, and creates an exemption that would allow individuals not engaged in the business of dealing firearms to sell large quantities of guns from their homes.
"Indeed, the desire to treat all gun sales the same -- whether at a gun store or elsewhere, from a licensed dealer or a private collector -- is precisely the reason for closing the gun show loophole in the first place. The McCain-Lieberman bill specifically gives non-licensed gun sellers preference over licensed dealers. This approach misses the forest for the trees," the groups stated.
The following organizations encourage Senators to support the one bill that actually closes the gun show loophole: [B]The Gun Show Background Check Act (S. 767), sponsored by Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.): [/B]
National Organizations -- American Association of Suicidology (900 members) -- American Medical Students Association (30,000 members) -- American Medical Women's Association (10, 000 members) -- Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice -- Children's Defense Fund -- Church Women United -- Washington Office -- Consumer Federation of America (280 member organizations representing over 50 million consumers) -- The Episcopal Church, Office of Government Relations (2.2 million members) -- Family Violence Prevention Fund -- Jewish Women International (50,000 members) -- Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs, ELCA (5 million members) -- National Association of School Psychologists (21,000 members) -- National Black Police Association, Inc (35,000 members) -- National Center for Women and Policing (500 members) -- National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (1,500 individuals) -- National Network to End Domestic Violence (represents state groups) -- National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) (3,000 members) -- National Women's Health Network (10,000 individuals, 300 organizations) -- Physicians for Social Responsibility (23,000 members) -- Physicians for a Violence-Free Society (1,000 members) -- Presbyterian Church (USA), Washington Office (260,000 members) -- Trauma Foundation -- Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (155,000 members) -- Violence Policy Center