Blumenthal Statement On Senate Judiciary Committee’s Approval Of School Safety, Background Check Bills

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued a statement on the Senate Judiciary Committee’s approval of the School Safety Enhancements Act of 2013 (S.146) and the Protecting Responsible Gun Sellers Act of 2013 (S.374), two pieces of legislation Blumenthal has supported and advocated for.
 
The School Safety Enhancements Act, which Blumenthal cosponsored, would strengthen school safety by helping state and local officials secure their campuses and protect students. Specifically, the bill would provide schools with resources to install security devices ( i.e. classroom locks, lighting, fencing, reinforced doors) and to conduct security assessments and training for students, teachers, and administrators. The Protecting Responsible Gun Sellers Act would require a background check for all firearm sales, including private sales, and ensure that all individuals who should be prohibited from buying a firearm are listed in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
 
“Today’s approval of the school safety and background check bills is another major step in the right direction – proving that what the NRA called the ‘Connecticut effect’ is not fading as the organization had hoped,” Blumenthal said. “I cosponsored and advocated for the school safety bill because it will make our schools safer by providing funds to improve security infrastructure and school safety strategies. I also strongly supported the background check bill because it is essential to enforcing existing laws against criminals and other people prohibited from buying firearms. These bills add to the legislation that we passed last week to combat gun trafficking. All of these measures have to be a part of a comprehensive strategy that attacks gun violence.”
 
Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act of 2013, legislation cosponsored by Blumenthal that gives law enforcement extensive new tools to combat straw purchasing and gun trafficking.