Written by: Cathy Yang
Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021
The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021, or H.R. 8, was introduced in the beginning of March 2021. Sponsored by Mike Thompson of California, it passed on March 11 and has been received by the Senate. By this bill, unlicensed firearms dealers, manufacturers, or importers would be unable to trade and sell firearms to another person. Since current law only requires background checks for licensed gun dealers, this legislation would effectively close the Gun Show Loophole. Those without a license would be able to trade firearms through a licensed dealer, who would run the background checks necessary for sale.
Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021
H.R. 1446, titled The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021, was introduced at the same time as H.R. 8 and received by the Senate the same day as well. Sponsored by James E. Clyburn of South Carolina, it is linked to the Charleston Church Massacre of 2015. It extends the background check review time period to ten days instead of the current three days, allowing for a safer community.
Importance and Impact of Background Checks
In 2017, the population of America was around 326 million. The number of guns was over 390 million. Even today, there are more guns in America than there are people. But America’s gun epidemic can be helped.
The lack of background checks are widespread in America. In fact, over 95% of inmates convicted of firearms offenses who were banned from obtaining a firearm at the time of the offense acquired their firearm from an unlicensed seller. Additionally, more than one-fifth of US gun owners obtained their most recent firearm without having to do a background check.
The significance of background checks have also been proven. Since 1994, when a background check requirement was adopted by the federal government, more than three million legally forbidden from acquiring a gun were stopped or denied a permit to purchase. Background checks help crime rates as well with States that have universal background check legislation having a lower export rate of crime guns across state lines in comparison to states without the legislation.