The bill would stop those convicted of stalking or domestic abuse from buying a gun. House Dems unveil new gun bill

House Democrats are looking to strengthen the nation’s gun laws bill by bill.

More than two dozen Democratic lawmakers led by California Rep. Mike Thompson unveiled legislation Friday that would inject new money into the coffers of law enforcement attempting to prevent gun violence by the mentally ill — less than a week after a mass shooting in Santa Barbara that left six dead.


The bill would ban outpatients who have been involuntarily committed from purchasing firearms if a court has deemed them dangerous and improve the system used to report potentially dangerous individuals to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. It also would stop those convicted of stalking or domestic abuse from buying guns.

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Thompson said it was “incumbent” on Congress to close the loopholes that allow the dangerously mental ill to access guns.

“There is no one law that will save every life, but that’s no excuse not to try and do what you can do. This is a good law that will protect our effort,” Thompson said.

The mental health-focused legislation has no Republican sponsors but Thompson said he is currently shopping the bill with GOP members.

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The House also approved legislation on Thursday that would allocate $19.5 million for the background check system used by states when processing gun sales. That measure, sponsored by Thompson and Republican Rep. Peter King, passed with a vote of 260-145.

Both bills come after Elliot Rodger went on a shooting spree last week, killing six near the University of California, Santa Barbara. Rodger had been in therapy since he was young but purchased his guns legally, despite concerns from his parents that Rodger was a threat to himself.

Thompson acknowledged that even stricter legislation and additional funds may not prevent gun attacks but said it was vital that Congress act.

“I have to tell you as a gun guy, I’m ashamed that we can’t step up and pass sensible gun laws to keep … our communities safe,” he said. “That’s no excuse to do nothing and we have to do everything we can to try.”