The chairman of the House of Representatives Democratic Gun Violence Prevention Task Force hosted a panel discussion at the California State Capitol Monday.
Napa-area Congressman Mike Thompson. He recently authored a bill that would require anyone who buys a gun through a private sale to undergo a background check.
"Today we heard from three gun-advocacy groups, all three-of-whom said that we should have background checks," says Thompson.
Ed Prieto is Sheriff of Yolo County and agrees with the bill.
"We have to be able to make sure that someone who purchases a weapon -first is not a criminal, first is not severely mentally ill or seriously ill- that they be able to get a weapon," says Prieto. "I don't see a problem with that at all."
Joe Deaser owns Just Guns in Sacramento and agrees a private sale of a firearm should be accompanied by a background check.
"You can meet somebody in the parking lot in a lot of states and purchase a gun with no background check, with no formal interview," says Deaser. "In fact, if I know you're a felon, and I sell you my gun, I'm not breaking the law. Now, how scary is that?"
Thompson says more than 180 colleagues are co-sponsors of the bill.
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