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Jeanne Shaheen on Gun Control

Democrat Sr Senator; previously Governor

 


If you can't pass a background check, no gun

Shaheen and Maggie Hassan joined Chris Murphy to reintroduce the Background Check Expansion Act, which would expand federal background checks to all gun sales. Under current federal law, unlicensed or private sellers are not required to conduct a background check prior to transferring a firearm. Approximately 90% of Americans support comprehensive background checks. "If you can't pass a background check, you shouldn't have access to a gun--that's just common sense," said Shaheen.
Source: Senate press release on shaheen.senate.gov for 2020 , Jan 8, 2019

Stop those convicted of domestic violence from buying guns

Shaheen helped introduce the Domestic Violence Loophole Closure Act. The bipartisan legislation would close the background check loophole and ensure that any individual convicted of domestic violence--whether it is in criminal or military court--cannot legally purchase a firearm. Said Senator Shaheen, "We know that domestic violence is a red flag for further violence and we must do more to prevent the next attack."
Source: Senate press release on shaheen.senate.gov for 2020 , Nov 8, 2017

Semi-automatic rifles are weapons of war

Shaheen charged that people who buy the wildly popular AR-15 semi-automatic rifle are buying it "to do bad things."

"I think people need to have their voices heard, and what I've heard from people in New Hampshire is that they think there's reasonable legislation that we can pass including things like looking at the types of weapons that are so easy for people to get," the Democrat said. "The fact is, the AR-15, that's a weapon of war," Ms. Shaheen said.

Source: Washington Times on 2020 New Hampshire Senate race , Jun 21, 2016

Voted YES on banning high-capacity magazines of over 10 bullets.

Congressional Summary:

Proponent's Argument for voting Yes: Sen. BLUMENTHAL: This amendment would ban high-capacity magazines which are used to kill more people more quickly and, in fact, have been used in more than half the mass shootings since 1982. I ask my colleagues to listen to law enforcement, their police, prosecutors who are outgunned by criminals who use these high-capacity magazines. I ask that my colleagues also listen to the families of those killed by people who used a high-capacity magazine.

Opponent's Argument for voting No: Sen. GRASSLEY. I oppose the amendment. In 2004, which is the last time we had the large-capacity magazine ban, a Department of Justice study found no evidence banning such magazines has led to a reduction in gun violence. The study also concluded it is not clear how often the outcomes of the gun attack depend on the ability of offenders to fire more than 10 shots without reloading. Secondly, there is no evidence banning these magazines has reduced the deaths from gun crimes. In fact, when the previous ban was in effect, a higher percentage of gun crime victims were killed or wounded than before it was adopted. Additionally, tens of millions of these magazines have been lawfully owned in this country for decades. They are in common use, not unusually dangerous, and used by law-abiding citizens in self-defense, as in the case of law enforcement.

Reference: Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act; Bill S.Amdt. 714 to S. 649 ; vote number 13-SV103 on Apr 17, 2013

Voted YES on allowing firearms in checked baggage on Amtrak trains.

Congressional Summary:AMENDMENT PURPOSE: To ensure that law abiding Amtrak passengers are allowed to securely transport firearms in their checked baggage.

On page 37, between lines 8 and 9, insert the following: "Allowing Amtrak Passengers to Securely Transport Firearms on Passenger Trains.--None of amounts made available in the reserve fund authorized under this section may be used to provide financial assistance for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) unless Amtrak passengers are allowed to securely transport firearms in their checked baggage.

Proponent's argument to vote Yes:Sen. ROGER WICKER (R, MS). This amendment aims to ensure that gun owners and sportsmen are able to transport securely firearms aboard Amtrak trains in checked baggage, a practice that is done thousands of times a day at airports across the country. I emphasize that this amendment deals with checked, secured baggage only. It would return Amtrak to a pre-9/11 practice. It does not deal with carry-on baggage. Unlike the airline industry, Amtrak does not allow the transport of firearms in checked bags. This means that sportsmen who wish to use Amtrak trains for hunting trips cannot do so because they are not allowed to check safely a firearm.

Opponent's argument to vote No:Sen. FRANK LAUTENBERG (D, NJ): I object to this disruptive amendment offered by the Senator from Mississippi. He wants to enable the carrying of weapons, guns, in checked baggage. One doesn't have to be very much concerned about what we are doing when they look at the history of attacks on railroads in Spain and the UK and such places. This amendment has no place here interrupting the budgetary procedure. The pending amendment is not germane and, therefore, I raise a point of order that the amendment violates section 305(b)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.

Reference: Wicker Amendment; Bill S.Amdt.798 to S.Con.Res.13 ; vote number 2009-S145 on Apr 2, 2009

Allow veterans to register unlicensed guns acquired abroad.

Shaheen co-sponsored Veterans' Heritage Firearms Act

Source: HR420/S798 11-S0798 on Apr 12, 2011

Co-sponsored background check for every firearm sale.

Shaheen 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".