Dupage Policy Journal

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and 23 other senators recently urged President Obama to consider all possible options under his executive authority to target gun violence in the U.S.

In a letter to the president, the senators asked him to get rid of a loophole that lets individuals with no federal license sell large volumes of guns at gun shows, over the Internet and through other methods without conducting background checks.

A group of House lawmakers made a similar request in a letter signed by 114 members.

“We stand with you, determined to take action to reduce the terrible epidemic of gun violence plaguing this nation,” the senators said in their letter. “All across the country, communities are ravaged and lives are senselessly cut short by gun violence. Following yet another horrific mass shooting in Roseburg, Oregon, it is unthinkable that our country can continue to turn a blind eye to these tragedies. We urge you to address an aspect of the high-volume-gun-seller loophole that allows guns to be sold without a background check by eliminating the ambiguity surrounding the term ‘engaged in the business’ as it pertains to federally licensed firearms dealers.

“This change would be a positive step forward in achieving universal background checks, a policy change that roughly 90 percent of Americans support,” the senators said. “It would help ensure that those clearly holding themselves out as gun dealers are held to the same standard as the thousands of responsible gun dealers already licensed with ATF across the country.”