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Chris Van Hollen on Gun Control

Democratic Representative (MD-8)

 


Common sense measures like universal background checks

Chris Van Hollen called on Speaker Boehner to allow Congress to vote on commonsense gun laws after yet another mass shooting. Excerpts from the interview on MSNBC:

Q: Your reaction to the mass shooting?

A: It's tragic. It's heartbreaking. But it's also sickening, because we see this mounting death toll from mass casualty shootings--but also every day in our neighborhoods, in our cities--and we know there are common sense gun safety measures we can take to dramatically reduce the death toll and we're not doing anything about it. And the definition of gross negligence is when you know you have a solution that will help prevent gun deaths and you don't do anything about it.

Q: What are the solutions?

A: If you have a universal criminal background check to help keep guns out of the hands of criminals and dangerous people, you will reduce gun deaths. We know that. You should have a permit to purchase a weapon just like you need to get a license to drive a car.

Source: Afro weblog coverage of 2016 Maryland Senate race , Oct 2, 2015

Voted NO on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers.

A bill to prohibit civil liability actions from being brought or continued against manufacturers, distributors, dealers, or importers of firearms or ammunition for damages, injunctive or other relief resulting from the misuse of their products by others. A YES vote would:
Reference: Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act; Bill S 397 ; vote number 2005-534 on Oct 20, 2005

Voted NO on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse.

Vote to pass a bill that would prohibit liability lawsuits from being brought against gun manufacturers and dealers based on the criminal misuse of firearms. The bill would also block these actions from being brought up against gun trade organizations and against ammunition makers and sellers. The measure would apply immediately to any pending cases. Several specific exceptions to the ban exist. This includes civil suits would be allowed against a maker or dealer who "knowingly and willfully violated" state or federal laws in the selling or marketing of a weapon. Design and manufacturing defect lawsuits are also permitted when weapons are "used as intended.
Reference: Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act; Bill HR 1036 ; vote number 2003-124 on Apr 9, 2003

Close the Gun Show Loophole; restrict show sales.

Van Hollen signed H.R.2324& S.843

    Makes it unlawful for any person to operate a gun show unless such person:
  1. has attained 21 years of age;
  2. is not prohibited from transporting, shipping, or receiving firearms and has not violated any federal firearms requirements;
  3. has registered with the Attorney General as a gun show operator and has provided a photograph and fingerprints;
  4. has not concealed material information nor made false statements in connection with a gun show operator registration; and
  5. notifies the Attorney General of the date, time, and duration of a gun show not later than 30 days before the commencement of such show and verifies the identity of each vendor at the gun show.
Imposes recordkeeping requirements on gun show operators and criminal penalties for failure to register as a gun show operator and maintain required records. Increases criminal penalties for serious recordkeeping violations and violations of criminal background check requirements. Authorizes the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to hire additional investigators to carry out inspections of gun shows.
Source: Gun Show Loophole Closing Act 09-HR2324 on May 7, 2009

Ban "fire sale" of firearms after delicensing closure.

Van Hollen co-sponsored Fire Sale Loophole Closing Act

The Fire Sale Loophole Closing Act makes it unlawful for:

Source: H.R.93 13-HR0093 on Jan 3, 2013

Ban large-capacity ammunition.

Van Hollen co-sponsored Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Act

Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act

Source: H.R.138&S.33 13-HR0138 on Jan 3, 2013

Stricter regulation on gun show firearm sales.

Van Hollen co-sponsored Latest Title: Gun Show Loophole Closing Act

Congressional Findings:

  1. approximately 5,200 traditional gun shows are held annually across the United States, attracting thousands of attendees per show and hundreds of Federal firearms licensees and unlicensed firearms sellers; and
  2. gun shows at which firearms are exhibited or offered for sale or exchange provide a convenient and centralized commercial location where criminals and other prohibited persons obtain firearms without background checks and without records that enable firearm tracing.

Congressional Summary:
The Gun Show Loophole Closing Act makes it unlawful for any person to operate a gun show unless such person:
  1. has attained 21 years of age;
  2. is not prohibited from transporting, shipping, or receiving firearms and has not violated any federal firearms requirements;
  3. has registered as a gun show operator and has provided a photograph and fingerprints;
  4. has not concealed material information nor made false statements in connection with a gun show operator registration; and
  5. notifies the Attorney General of the date, time, and duration of a gun show not later than 30 days before the commencement of such show and verifies the identity of each vendor at the gun show.
Source: H.R.141 13-HR0141 on Jan 3, 2013

Co-sponsored background check for every firearm sale.

Van Hollen co-sponsored the Bipartisan Background Checks Act

H.R.8: To require a background check for every firearm sale. This Act may be cited as the "Background Check Expansion Act".