Today, Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22) joined Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA), Congressman Peter King (R-NY), and many other Democratic and Republican Members of Congress in support of universal background checks for all gun purchases.

This legislation is being introduced on the 8th anniversary of the mass shooting in Tucson, Arizona where 13 people were injured, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, and six people were killed.

"Last February, the lives of the students and families of the Stoneman Douglas community changed forever. Now, they're the ones creating the change we're witnessing across the country," said Congressman Deutch. "With a new gun safety majority in the House, together we're wasting no time to introduce bipartisan proposals that have near-total support among the American people. Our strength today would not be possible without the tireless leadership of my former colleague Congresswoman Giffords who has bravely and effectively fought for this cause after being a victim of gun violence herself. Closing the glaring background check loophole on gun purchases with this bipartisan bill is a major step by the new Congress to end the gun lobby's grip on Washington and make our communities safer from gun violence."

“The overwhelming percentage of Americans are in favor of universal background checks. No issue in American politics is more universally agreed upon," said Charlie Mirsky, Political Director of March For Our Lives. "With nearly 40,000 people killed last year due to gun violence - this is our national crisis. Today’s universal background check bill is the right step, a step that will help save lives. Republican Senators up for re-election should listen to their constituents and join the House in passing a universal background check measure.”

“Just a few weeks ago, we learned the news that nearly 40,000 people died from gun violence in the past year, marking the highest number of gun deaths in nearly four decades,” former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, co-founder of Giffords. “It was the latest gut-wrenching reality check about the kind of country we’re raising our children in and the scale of the problem that too many of our leaders failed to address for far too long. But this year, the House of Representatives is prepared to take action. They’re ready to fight for a safer future for every family in every community. Thanks to the relentless efforts of advocates, courageous gun violence survivors, and the American voters who elected new leaders to Congress, I am thrilled that for the first time in decades, the United States House of Representatives will no longer sit silent as our nation reels from the growing gun violence epidemic. The introduction of a bipartisan background checks bill in the House marks a critical first step towards strengthening America’s gun laws and making our country safer place to live, work, study, worship, and play. I stand ready to do everything in my power to get this legislation across the finish line.”

“The introduction of this bill is a historic moment for the gun safety movement, and a fitting tribute to Gabby Giffords and the millions of Americans who must live with the knowledge that stronger gun laws might have saved themselves or their loved ones from tragedy," said John Feinblatt, President of Everytown for Gun Safety. "We’re deeply grateful to Speaker Pelosi for acting so quickly on her pledge to stand up for the vast majority of Americans who want stronger background checks, which are the foundation of any effective push to prevent gun violence. This bill is further proof that gun safety is no longer the third rail of American politics.”

"There's a reason expanding the Brady background check system has been our top priority for years, and we are thrilled to see this bill introduced as one of the first legislative actions of this new gun safety Congress," said Kris Brown, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. "It's been 25 years since Jim and Sarah Brady successfully fought to enact background checks on gun sales, and we've continued to carry on their legacy to make sure that convicted felons, domestic abusers, and other dangerous people aren't able to get their hands on deadly firearms. H.R. 8 is a strong step forward in that effort, and we will work with our elected officials every step of the way to see it passed into law."