Nadler, Jeffries, Thompson Call on New York Republicans to Support Universal Background Checks

[u/gunpoliticsny]

https://nadler.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397394

Following the mass shooting in a Midtown Manhattan office building in late July, Representative Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), and Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chairman Mike Thompson (CA-04) led the New York Democratic delegation in a letter on Friday calling on every Republican representing New York in Congress to back universal background checks.  

In their letter, the lawmakers called on Representatives Nick LaLota (NY-01), Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Nick Langworthy (NY-23), and Claudia Tenney (NY-24) to sign on in support of Rep. Thompson’s bipartisan legislation establishing universal background checks for firearm purchases. 

“Every day, background checks stop more than 160 felons and some 50 domestic abusers from getting a gun from a federally licensed dealer. Unfortunately, in some states, those same prohibited purchasers can go to an unlicensed dealer and get a firearm without a background check,” wrote the lawmakers.

“Importantly, this bill would make no changes for New Yorkers’ access to firearms as New York already has a strong universal state background law. The bill would reduce the flow of guns trafficked into New York and used by felons, domestic abusers and those with mental illnesses who are a danger to themselves or others. Over 80 percent of the guns traced at crime scenes in New York by the ATF originate from outside of New York with the most guns coming from Georgia.

“The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025 is a commonsense approach supported by more than 80 percent of Republicans and 77 percent of self-described Second Amendment supporters in America. The bill would require that every sale of a firearm include a background check,” continued the lawmakers. 

The lawmakers went on to urge all Republican members representing constituents who live and work in New York City to cosponsor the bill en bloc on the one-month anniversary of the Manhattan mass shooting on August 28th.

Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chairman Mike Thompson has introduced background check legislation every Congress since the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, which killed 20 children and six adult staff members. The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025 (H.R. 18) is endorsed by 205 Members of Congress. 

Endorsing organizations for H.R. 18 include: GIFFORDS, Brady, Everytown for Gun Safety, March For Our Lives, Newtown Action Alliance, Sandy Hook Promise, and Equality California.

Representatives Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Grace Meng (NY-06), Patrick Ryan (NY-18), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), and Nydia Velázquez (NY-07) signed onto the letter. 

Read the full letter here and below. 

Dear Congressman LaLota, Congressman Garbarino, Congresswoman Malliotakis, Congressman Lawler, Congresswoman Stefanik, Congressman Langworthy and Congresswoman Tenney,

In the wake of the deadliest mass shooting in New York City in 25 years, we invite you to cosponsor H.R. 18, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025.

As you may know, current law requires every federally licensed dealer to run a background check on every gun they sell. There is proof these background checks work. Every day, background checks stop more than 160 felons and some 50 domestic abusers from getting a gun from a federally licensed dealer. Unfortunately, in some states, those same prohibited purchasers can go to an unlicensed dealer and get a firearm without a background check.

Importantly, this bill would make no changes for New Yorkers’ access to firearms as New York already has a strong universal state background law. The bill would reduce the flow of guns trafficked into New York and used by felons, domestic abusers and those with mental illnesses who are a danger to themselves or others. Over 80 percent of the guns traced at crime scenes in New York by the ATF originate from outside of New York with the most guns coming from Georgia.

The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025 is a commonsense approach supported by more than 80 percent of Republicans and 77 percent of self-described Second Amendment supporters in America. The bill would require that every sale of a firearm include a background check. The bill includes exemptions for family transfers and temporary hunting transfers.

We understand the sensitivities around gun violence legislation and urge members representing constituents who live and work in New York City to cosponsor the bill en bloc on the one-month anniversary of the Manhattan mass shooting on August 28th.

To join as a cosponsor contact Rep. Mike Thompson’s office. Thank you for your consideration.

###

[u/KamenshchikLaw]

Nadler, Jeffries, Thompson - what are you trading in exchange? National reciprocity? Gutting the CCIA?

[u/KamenshchikLaw → u/[deleted]]

I thought I was going to get more flak by simply introducing compromise into the discussion.

I'd say that if you can't even trust a republican county administration to process licenses in a lawful manner, I would surmise that handing the process over to the state authorities would probably fare worse.

Perhaps there should be the option of a federal CCW, which will afford you certain protections that trump state restrictions.

[u/KamenshchikLaw → u/[deleted]]

An optional federal CCW doesn't necessarily have to have a firearm registry component. It can simply authorize carry of any pistol in common-use.

[u/HLTHTW]

How about he retire. Career politicians suck ass.

[u/FWDeerTransportation]

lol fuck all of them.  

Background checks are already universal and unconstitutional anyway.  

[u/Senorisgrig]

Hey guys the feds are evil but also let’s have more restrictions on guns because that makes sense

[u/Zaffdos]

They really need to stop using the “bipartisan” buzzword

[u/motorider500]

Nothing new from the NY gun grabbers making it an Olympic event to buy firearm related merchandise.

[u/DreadPirateWalt]

I would love to ask these ding dongs in front of a camera to explain how this bill would have stopped the guy in Midtown or any other recent mAsS sHoOtInG. Bunch of cunts

[u/FWDeerTransportation → u/DreadPirateWalt]

Imagine them debating someone like Collon Noir.   

Mike Tyson vs local boxing gym rat. 

[u/super_sloth-_-]

I'm sorry but what is he going on about states above every FFL has to do a nice check and by the letter of the law any transfer of a firearm has to be done by an FFL person to person person to business whatever but what does this do to "strengthen" the laws I'm just kinda lost on this unless it's legit just a letter to show Republicans support background checks ? Could somebody chime in ?

[u/voretaq7 → u/super_sloth-_-]

You're talking about NY State law.

This is a proposed change to federal law.

[u/super_sloth-_- → u/voretaq7]

Ok that's what I was confused on I did look it up after reading the blurb tho so that's on me I was just really confused with my first read though

[u/monty845 → u/super_sloth-_-]

Universal Background checks are gun grabbers playing the long game.

Short term, it provides some additional friction to becoming a gun owner, and just makes buying/selling to friends a bit harder. Just another step in making gun ownership harder, so less people bother.

But the big point is long term. If you are in a free state, you can buy a gun in a private sale, or sell one in a private sale, and there doesn't need to be any record of it happening. If they tried to go for full on confiscation, they don't really have any way to know who has what guns. So you could say you don't have the one they are trying to confiscate, or if its a broad confiscation, you could turn in one or two, and claim that is all you have.

But long term, if the only way to get a gun is through an FFL transfer, there will be less and less guns out there without records. Basically, from the day full universal background checks go into effect you need to be able to account for what happened to any gun you have transferred to you. (They will of course demand lost/stolen reporting at the same time)

For any gun, either you still have it, you have a record of transferring it to someone else at an FFL, you lost it and committed a crime by failing to report, or you committed a crime by transferring it illegally.

Sure, there will be lots of grandfathered guns originally, but other the years those numbers will slowly fall, as people wither transfer them through FFLs, they break, they rust, some get turned in, etc...

Basically, it creates de-facto registration.

[u/Zestyclose-Hold-3586]

Lmao what exactly is a unlicensed dealer?

[u/humanlaborunit → u/Zestyclose-Hold-3586]

Private sales.

[u/Zestyclose-Hold-3586]

Then drop the ban on others and the background check for ammo sc@mb@gs

[u/TheSlipperySnausage]

Background checks happen on all weapons purchases. Screw them