Politics & Government

Ackerman Pushes Legislation to Close Firearms Loophole

Congressman Reintroduces Bill In Wake of Tucson Shooting

U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-Bayside, has reintroduced a bill to close a loophole that currently allows gun dealers with revoked licenses to sell firearms without background checks during inventory clearance sales.

The congressman said he has renewed a push to pass legislation that would close the “fire sale loophole” in the wake of a deadly Jan. 8 shooting in Tucson, Ariz. that left six dead and 13 wounded, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-AZ.

“After this week’s tragedy, it’s clear that Congress must close troubling loopholes in federal gun control laws that let firearms fall into the hands of convicted felons, fugitives, domestic violence perpetrators and severely emotionally disturbed individuals,” Ackerman said. “Every gun sold should require a background check, period.”

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The congressman’s bill, known as the Fire Sale Loophole Closing Act, would prevent gun dealers whose licenses have been revoked for federal law violations from selling weapons.

Currently, gun sellers with revoked licenses no longer have to conduct FBI background checks before selling weapons if they convert their inventory into a “personal collection,” Ackerman said. Therefore, the sellers would no longer be considered licensed gun sellers.

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Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is an advocate of gun-control laws, said he supported the congressman’s bill.

“We need common sense, effective policies to close gaps in the background check system and keep guns out of the hands of criminals and other dangerous people,” the mayor said. “Pharmacists who lose their licenses can’t sell prescription drugs to people without prescriptions, yet gun dealers who lose their licenses can sell off their inventory without even conducting background checks.”

U.S. Rep. Peter King, R-Seaford, also proposed gun control legislation earlier this month. Under his bill, it would be illegal to knowingly carry a firearm within 1,000 feet of high-profile government officials, such as the president, vice president, congressional representatives and federal judges.

Ackerman's district covers numerous communities in Queens and Long Island, including Douglaston, Little Neck and Bayside.


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