At tonight’s debate, Hillary Clinton rightfully called out Bernie Sanders for standing with gun manufacturers. Today, a Connecticut judge denied a motion to dismiss a lawsuit accusing gun manufacturers of liability in the Sandy Hook shooting. This is good news–those families deserve to be heard.
But when it came to voting against legislation that made it harder for families like the ones from the Sandy Hook tragedy to sue gun manufacturers, Sanders was on the wrong side. Instead of siding with the victims of gun violence, he sided with the gun manufacturing industry–the NRA even endorsed Sanders’ position. Incredibly, Sanders refused to apologize to the families of gun violence victims for his vote that gave gun makers and dealers immunity.
And that’s not the only questionable vote Sanders has taken on guns. He voted against the Brady Bill multiple times and cast a vote leading to the Charleston loophole that allowed Dylann Roof to obtain a gun.
Americans deserve a candidate for President who will stand up to the gun manufacturers and stand with the families of gun violence, not repeatedly stand with Republicans and the gun lobby.
GUN CONTROL: BERNIE SANDERS HAS VOTED LIKE A REPUBLICAN
Sanders voted to shield gun makers and dealers from most liability when their guns are used criminally
Sanders voted for the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) which, “shields gun makers and dealers from most liability when their firearms are used criminally.” “But Sanders’ vote for a different kind of pro-gun bill is more puzzling—and profoundly disturbing. In 2005, a Republican-dominated Congress passed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). This law doesn’t protect gun owners; it protects gun manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and importers. The PLCAA was the No. 1 legislative priority of the National Rifle Association for years, because it shields gun makers and dealers from most liability when their firearms are used criminally. It is one of the most noxious pieces of pro-gun legislation ever passed. And Bernie Sanders voted for it.” (Sanders’ campaign has not replied to a request for comment.)’ [Slate, 5/6/15, House Roll Call 534, 10/20/05]
2003: Bernie Sanders voted for the 2003 Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms (PLCAA). House Vote 124 – HR 1036: Gun Liability – Passage April 09, 2003 – Passage of the bill that would block liability lawsuits against gunmakers and sellers based on the criminal misuse of firearms. It also would block such actions against gun trade organizations and against ammunition makers and sellers. The measure would apply immediately to any pending cases. Several specific exceptions to the ban exist and include allowing civil suits against a maker or seller who ‘knowingly and willfully violated’ state or federal laws in selling or marketing a weapon. Design and manufacturing defect lawsuits also would be allowed when weapons are ‘used as intended.’ Passed 285-140: R 221-3; D 63-137; I 1-0. [CQ Vote Report: House Vote 124, 4/9/03]
Bernie Sanders voted against the Brady Bill multiple times
May 1991: Bernie Sanders voted against the Brady Bill mandating a seven-day waiting period for background checks that passed the House. [H R 7, Vote # 83, 5/8/91]
November 1991: Bernie Sanders voted against the Brady Bill mandating a five-day waiting period for background checks that passed in the House. [H R 3371, Vote #443, 11/26/91]
November 1993: Bernie Sanders voted against the Brady Bill mandating a five-day waiting period for background checks that passed in the House. [H R 1025, Vote #564, 11/10/93]
November 1993: Bernie Sanders voted against the final version of the Brady Bill mandating a five-day waiting period for background checks that was signed into law. [H R 1025, Vote #614, 11/22/93]
Sanders’ vote led to the Charleston Loophole
Bernie Sanders voted for the Gekas Amendment to the Brady Bill. On November 10, 1993, Bernie Sanders supported a Rep. Gekas, R-Pa., amendment to sunset the five-day waiting period five years after enactment. A majority of House Democrats opposed the proposal. Adopted 236-198: R 139-36; D 96-162; I 1-0. [H.Amdt.390 to H.R. 1025, Vote #559, 11/10/93; CQ Floor Votes, 11/10/93]
The Gekas amendment created a “default proceed” loophole to allow a gun to be purchased if a background check did not return a result within one business day. “(ii) 1 business day (as defined in subsection (s)(8)(B)) has elapsed since the end of the business day on which the licensee contacted the system, and the system has not notified the licensee that the receipt of the handgun by such other person would violate subsection (g) or (n) of this section or any State or local law.” [H.Amdt.390 to H.R.1025, Vote #559, 11/10/1993]
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Following negotiations in the Senate, the Gekas Amendment created a three-day time limit for background checks in the final version of the Brady bill. “His amendment was initially rejected, but when he tweaked it slightly and requested a floor vote on November 10, 1993, it passed the House 238 to 192, with 122 Republicans and 84 Democrats voting ‘aye.’ The full Brady bill passed the House later that day. When the Senate took up the legislation, lawmakers were faced with Gekas’s one-business-day time limit, which would go into effect five years after Brady’s enactment, along with the instant check system. But after further maneuvering in the Senate, the investigation period was raised to three days.” [The Trace, 7/21/15]
The three-day default proceed loophole allowed Dylann Roof to obtain a gun. “Mr. Roof exploited the three-day waiting time that has allowed thousands of prohibited buyers to legally purchase firearms over the past decade — and some of those weapons were ultimately used in crimes, according to court records and government documents.” [New York Times, 7/11/15]
Bernie Sanders voted against an amendment to restore CDC funding to research firearm use
Bernie Sanders voted against the Lowey-Castle amendment. On July 11, 1996, Bernie Sanders opposed a Rep. Lowey, D-N.Y., amendment to provide an additional $2.6 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in order to fund research at the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control on issues related to firearms use and to reduce by an equal amount the $3.1 billion in funding for health resources and services. A majority of House Democrats supported the proposal. Rejected 158-263: R 36-193; D 122-69; I 0-1. [H.Amdt.1256 to H.R.3755, Vote #302, 7/11/96; CQ Floor Votes, 7/11/96]