WASHINGTON – Gun violence survivors and advocates are rallying around the Background Check Expansion Act. Murphy on Wednesday led 30 senators in introducing the bill, which would expand federal background checks to the sale or transfer of all firearms by private sellers, with certain reasonable exceptions. Research indicates that as many as a quarter of all gun sales in the United States may occur without a background check even though 90% of Americans support comprehensive background checks.

Below is a roundup of coverage and praise of Murphy’s Background Check Expansion Act:

Sandy Hook Promise: “While our country may be divided on many issues, we all want to feel safe and the vast majority of us agree that if you can’t pass a background check, you shouldn’t be able to buy a gun. As major loopholes in our nation’s laws allow a quarter of all guns to be bought without a background check, our elected officials must come together around this commonsense bill and help save lives before another tragedy happens.” –Nicole Hockley, co-founder and managing director of Sandy Hook Promise who lost her six-year-old son Dylan in Sandy Hook.

Newtown Action Alliance: “Congressional thoughts and prayers have not saved lives. Many of us living in Newtown are disgusted and disappointed by the lack of congressional action on gun violence prevention after 20 children and six educators were senselessly gunned down at the Sandy Hook Elementary School. It’s difficult to understand why Congress refuses to approve a background check bill that is supported by more than 90 percent of Americans - including the majority of gun owners. We thank you for introducing the Background Check Expansion Act to require background checks for sale or transfer of all firearms from one private party (i.e. a person who is not federally licensed) to another. Because this bill is necessary to save lives, we demand an immediate vote on the Senate floor. The deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history deserves a swift congressional response.”

Giffords: “Our leaders are at a crossroads. They can either continue to ignore the reality of gun violence, which claims 93 lives every single day, or they can choose to do something about it. Our leaders can either continue following the will of the gun lobby, and pass dangerous and regressive bills that put our safety in jeopardy, or they can follow the will of the 94 percent of Americans who support requiring background checks for all gun sales. This could be a moment of significant progress, but seizing that moment is going to take courage. Our leaders must act now. I applaud Senator Murphy, and all of the senators who have cosponsored this legislation, for their steadfast leadership on this issue and for introducing this bill that not only protects the rights of law-abiding gun owners, like myself but also keeps guns out of dangerous hands.” –Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords

Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence: "This is an important next step toward a comprehensive background check system. Jim and Sarah Brady fought hard to pass the original Brady background check law so that all of us could live in a safer America. Because of their hard work, over 3 million firearm sales to dangerous and prohibited purchasers have been stopped. Still, it is tragic that over the years, new venues for gun sales over the internet and at gun shows have threatened to erode some of the protections the Brady law provides. S. 2009 will correct that by expanding Brady background checks to all gun sales." –Kris Brown, Brady Campaign Co-President

Everytown for Gun safety: “Americans across the political spectrum agree: If you can’t pass a background check, you shouldn’t be able to buy a gun, period. It is past time for Congress to close the background check loophole, and I applaud Senators Murphy, Blumenthal and Durbin for introducing legislation that will keep guns out of the hands of criminals, and save lives. I strongly encourage their colleagues in Congress to come together, listen to the American people and pass this legislation.” –John Feinblatt, President of Everytown for Gun Safety

Moms Demand Action: “After the horrific tragedy in Las Vegas, Senators Murphy, Blumenthal and Durbin are taking an important stand for public safety. It is high time Congress comes together to help keep guns out of the hands of people with dangerous histories. That starts with closing the background check loophole and requiring criminal background checks for every gun sale. Polls show Americans support stronger gun laws; shockingly, it’s our lawmakers who are standing in the way of lifesaving legislation. We must demand our elected leaders make the safety of our families a priority. American lives are on the line.” –Shannon Watts, Founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Safety in America

Pride Fund to End Gun Violence: “Pride Fund applauds Senator Murphy for his consistent and steadfast leadership to implement commonsense gun safety reforms. The senator is among Congress’s most devoted leaders when it comes to gun violence prevention. Pride Fund fully supports this bill as a pivotal step towards saving lives. As a Senator of Connecticut, where 20 students and 6 adults were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, Senator Murphy is all too familiar with the horrors of mass shootings. Universal background checks are one of Pride Fund's top priorities. Background checks must be conducted before every gun sale, and the gun show loophole must be closed as well. We wholeheartedly support Senator Murphy's Background Check Expansion Act and stand shoulder to shoulder with him in this fight on behalf of the American people.” –Jason Lindsay, Pride Fund Executive Director 

Coalition to Stop Gun Violence: "Universal background checks are the foundation of any sensible gun violence prevention strategy. I applaud Senator Murphy and his colleagues for introducing this important piece of legislation and carrying the torch for the American people on this issue." –Josh Horwitz, Executive Director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence

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