Mike Thompson: “I thank the gentleman for yielding. I was asked to talk about some of the outrageous allegations that were made about…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. I was asked to talk about some of the outrageous allegations that were made about this bill, and the chairman already cleared one up, and that is the $100,000 fine that we are hearing from the other side. It is $1,000, as was pointed out. We also heard that this isn't constitutional. Well, the Constitution is pretty clear: Individuals have a right to bear arms. Nobody is disputing that. As a matter of fact, it was settled in District of Columbia v. Heller. But also in that opinion were Justice Scalia's remarks that stated that government also has a responsibility and a right to regulate firearms. That is all we are doing. We are saying that people who are felons, domestic abusers, dangerously mentally ill, a danger to themselves or others shouldn't be able to have guns. I don't think anybody can dispute that. And how do you find out if you don't do a background check? My friends on the other side of the aisle said this won't work. We have heard it a hundred times: This won't work. Well, we have been working on this for 6\1/2\ years, ever since Sandy Hook. We have pleaded with the other side to work with us, have a hearing. What are your ideas? Absolute silence from them. Absolute silence. This does work. We know that licensed dealers stop the sale of firearms to 170 felons every day and 50 domestic abusers every day because they are required to do background checks.…”