The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence closely monitors gun-related legislation on Capitol Hill and educates lawmakers and their staff about the need to enact sensible gun laws to reduce gun violence in America.

Federal Legislative Issues for 2012:

1) Fixing the Background Check SysytemThe January 2011 mass shooting in Tucson—perpetrated by a severely mentally ill gunman who legally purchased guns—once again exposed serious deficiencies in our nation's background check system for gun purchasers. CSGV supports the "Fix Gun Checks Act," which would increase incentives for states to report records on criminals, the seriously mentally ill, and other prohibited purchasers to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS); and require all gun sellers conduct checks on prospective buyers.

2) Repealing the Tiahrt Amendments
The Coalition seeks the repeal of amendments to the ATF appropriations bill that restrict the ability of law enforcement, state and local government officials, Members of Congress, and the public to access valuable data on traced crime guns.

3) Closing the Gun Show Loophole
The Gun Show Loophole allows criminals and other prohibited purchasers to buy firearms from private sellers without undergoing a background check in 33 states across the nation and must be closed.

4) Renewing the Ban on Assault Weapons and High-Capacity Ammunition MagazinesThe federal ban on assault weapons expired in September 2004 without any substantive action by Congress.  With law enforcement being outgunned by criminals on America’s streets, it is time to renew and strengthen the ban. The ban also prohibited high-capacity ammunition magazines (which hold more than 10 rounds) like the one used in the Tucson mass shooting in January 2011.

5) Closing the Terror Gap
Individuals on the FBI’s Terrorist Watch List are currently prohibited from boarding airplanes, but can legally purchase as many firearms (including handguns and assault rifles) as they wish.  The Coalition is working to close this dangerous and inane loophole.

6) Defending the District of Columbia's Gun LawsFor years, the National Rifle Association (NRA) has attempted to repeal the District of Columbia's democratically-enacted gun laws through the courts and legislation in the U.S. Congress. The Coalition has opposed these efforts, and will continue to do so now that the city has enacted permanent and comprehensive gun laws in the wake of the D.C. v. Heller decision.

7) Opposing Efforts to Weaken States' Concealed Handgun LawsThe Coalition actively opposes the "National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act," which would force states to accept concealed handgun permits that are issued by other states. The practical effect of this change would be to reduce concealed carry regulations in the United States to the lowest common denominator, as many states have weak (or no) screening and training processes for permit applicants.

8) Monitoring the “NICS Improvement Act of 2007”
The "NICS Improvement Act" began as an effort to give states grant funding to submit more records into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).  Unfortunately, the gun lobby was allowed to add extensive language to the final bill, which is now allowing mentally ill individuals to regain their firearm purchasing "rights". The Coalition will be monitoring the implementation of this law and calling for any needed reforms.