SEATTLE, WA – The Alliance for Gun Responsibility issued the following statement in response to the passage of HR 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019, in the U.S. House of Representatives. This vote marked the first significant action on gun violence prevention measures in the House in 20 years.

“Americans and Washingtonians clearly support stronger gun laws and expanded background checks. We are glad to see many of our federal elected officials finally catching up to their constituents on this crucial issue,” said Renee Hopkins, CEO of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility. “But not all of our Representatives from Washington have caught up. Just over four years ago, our state passed Initiative 594, which does many of the same things as HR 8. In the 3rd Congressional District, Initiative 594 won the support of voters; despite that, Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler did not support HR 8 today. Our representatives should be following the clear messages sent by their constituents, not toeing the party line with gun lobbyists. Herrera Beutler’s no vote is disappointing, to say the least.”