House Assistant Minority Leader Neguse Applauds Final Rule Expanding Background Checks for Firearm Sales
Announcement made by Biden-Harris Administration implements sections of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, closing the “gun show loophole.”
Washington, D.C. — Today, House Assistant Minority Leader Joe Neguse released the following statement applauding the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) finalized rule to close the “gun show loophole” by expanding requirements to perform background checks for individuals who buy firearms at gun shows or online. The announcement comes at a time of great importance for families across Colorado, as communities across the state will honor the 25th anniversary of the devastating mass shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado next week. All four firearms used during this massacre were sold at gun shows in 1998 by unlicensed vendors.
“From Columbine to Boulder, and Aurora to Colorado Springs, families across Colorado are far too familiar with the pain and anguish caused by gun violence and devastating mass shootings. Today’s rule closes dangerous gaps in state and Federal gun laws, expanding background checks and doing more to prevent similar tragedies from happening again. We will not sit idly by as gun violence continues to devastate our communities,” said Assistant Leader Joe Neguse.
More specifically, the rule finalized today specifies the definition of “engaged in the business” as a dealer in firearms. This will amend the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) regulations to conform with the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, signed into law on June 25th, 2022, clarifying who must register as a federally licensed firearms dealer and conduct background checks on gun sales. Some reports state the Justice Department has estimated there are around 23,000 unlicensed firearms dealers who will now be required to complete background checks when selling guns, which will help prevent thousands of firearms from ending up in the wrong hands.
Assistant Leader Neguse played a critical role in securing the enactment of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the first major gun violence prevention legislation in nearly 30 years. He joined President Biden, fellow leaders, and gun violence prevention advocates – including Tom Mauser and members from Mental Health Partners Colorado – while commemorating the bill at the White House in July 2022. Rep. Neguse also led a successful effort in Congress urging President Biden to employ a whole-of-government response to the gun violence epidemic and create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The President heeded Rep. Neguse’s calls in September 2023.
The Colorado Congressman has been a staunch advocate for common-sense measures that prevent the sale of guns to people convicted of violent misdemeanors, enforce state age requirements during background checks, and bolster security measures in public spaces to prevent mass shootings. Following the devastating mass shooting at the Table Mesa King Soopers in Boulder, Colorado on March 22nd, 2021, Assistant Leader Neguse introduced and championed a legislative package focused on gun violence prevention and workplace safety. In August 2023, Neguse welcomed Leader Hakeem Jeffries to Colorado’s 2nd District for a roundtable with local stakeholders on gun violence prevention.
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