ANA Applauds Introduction of Bipartisan Gun Bill

CONTACT:
Shannon McClendon, 301-628-5391
shannon.mcclendon@ana.org

Joan Hurwitz, 301-628-5020
joan.hurwitz@ana.org

SILVER SPRING, MD – The American Nurses Association (ANA) applauds the introduction of the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 (H.R. 8) in the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation expands current background checks processes to ensure that unlicensed dealers and manufacturers do not sell guns to individuals prohibited from owning firearms.

ANA extends its gratitude to the cosponsors of H.R. 8 for their commitment to this legislation:

• Mike Thompson (D-CA)
• Jerrold Nadler (D-NY)
• Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX)
• Robin L. Kelly (D-IL)
• Lucy McBath (D-GA)
• Peter T. King (R-NY)
• Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)
• Brian J. Mast (R-FL)
• Fred Upton (R-MI)
• Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ)

Nurses represent the frontlines of care during every mass shooting, homicide, suicide, accidental shooting and other acts of violence, providing direct care at the bedside to victims and their families. As such, nurses have long pushed for action to enhance the background check system to prevent potentially dangerous individuals from obtaining firearms. This bipartisan legislation is a step in the right direction.

For decades, ANA has called on lawmakers to pass common sense polices that will prevent gun violence and protect Americans. ANA reinforced this call at our 2016 Membership Assembly to stand in solidarity with the individuals, families, communities and health care professionals impacted by gun violence.