Take Action And Support Background Checks

October 10, 2023

We need you to submit a comment to support a crucial rule change that would bring us closer to having federal background checks on all gun sales, a measure that 86% of Texas voters support.

In the absence of bipartisan congressional action, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms has proposed a rule change to clarify the definition of who is “engaged in the business” of selling firearms. This definition will ensure that individuals selling firearms for profit will have to be licensed and conduct background checks on their buyers.

The ATF has already received more than 58,000 comments – largely from the gun lobby and their extremist supporters who don’t support background checks on gun sales.

Thank you for taking action to reduce gun violence. This work would not be possible without you.

HOW TO TAKE ACTION

Please go to the ATF‘s comment page to submit a comment expressing your support for the rule change. We’ve written some sample text below,but feel free to edit and make the comment your own.

In the United States, 1 in every 5 guns is sold without a background check through private sales. This proposed ATF rule modification will expand background checks to more gun sales than ever, keeping guns out of the wrong hands and making our communities safer.

Thank you for taking action to reduce gun violence. This work would not be possible without you.

SAMPLE COMMENT LANGUAGE

“I strongly support the proposed rule to ensure that individuals who are “engaged in the business” of selling firearms are licensed, thus requiring them to complete background checks for all firearm sales and maintain records of those transactions, and that dealers who have lost their licenses may no longer sell firearms to the public. A recent study found that more than 1 in 5 gun sales in the U.S. are conducted without a background check, amounting to millions of off-the-books gun transfers annually; many of these transactions are facilitated by individuals who profit from the repetitive sale of firearms yet avoid the necessary oversight required of licensed dealers.

This is a public health and safety issue, and I urge the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to finalize the rule in order to prevent firearm transfers to prohibited purchasers and ensure that individuals who are selling guns for profit are licensed, regulated, and engage in responsible business practices.”

SUPPORT OUR MISSION

As we continue our mission to promote gun safety and put an end to gun violence in Texas, we want to express our gratitude for your ongoing support. Your contributions have been instrumental in enabling Texas Gun Sense to make a positive impact in our communities. We encourage you to keep donating and supporting our cause, as every contribution plays a vital role in preventing gun violence in Texas.