Blumenthal, Murphy Statement On New Executive Actions To Reduce Gun Violence

(Hartford, CT) – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) issued the following statement today in response to the Vice President’s announcement of new executive actions to reduce gun violence.

“We applaud the President and Vice President’s efforts to continue the fight for commonsense, life-saving gun safety measures. Today’s executive actions build further on those announced earlier this year by the White House and mark continued progress even as Congressional gridlock blocks other critical measures from becoming law. We will continue our efforts to work with victims of gun violence, law enforcement officials, and responsible gun owners to push for the passage of universal background checks – a measure that 90 percent of the American public supports. We will also continue to push for gun safety measures such as a ban on military-style assault weapons.

“The country can’t afford to wait. Nearly nine months after the horrific tragedy of Newtown and in the face of constantly mounting gun violence deaths, we must confront this threat. We have to do something.”

The executive measures announced today will protect Americans by:

• Denying the return of military-grade weapons sent abroad to foreign allies with only limited exceptions such as if the military-grade weapons are intended for a museum
  • 250,000 military-grade weapons have been imported to the U.S. since 2005
• Requiring individuals associated with corporations or trusts to undergo background checks as individuals -- closing a loop-hole that allows individuals with potentially criminal backgrounds to avoid background checks by registering the weapon to a corporation or trust
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tabaco, and Firearms received a reported 39,000 requests for weapons transfers to corporations or trusts last year