Universal background checks will be Sherrill’s first co-sponsorship

Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) will make a House resolution mandating universal background checks on gun sales her first co-sponsorship as a new member of Congress.

“This is the anniversary of a tragedy that showed that no one is immune from the threat of gun violence,” said Sherrill, who took office last Thursday.  “This common sense background check bill is a first step by our new Congress to address this country’s gun violence epidemic.”

H.R. 8 will be introduced by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-California), the chairman of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force of which Sherrill is a member.  It would close a loophole in the current law by requiring universal background checks for gun purchase.

The measure will come on the 8th anniversary of the shooting of Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Arizona).

Giffordsand her husband, Capt. Mark Kelly, campaign for Sherrill in her bid for Congress in New Jersey’s 11th district.