Watson Coleman Hosts Press Conference Launching Legislation to Reduce Unchecked Online Ammunition Purchases
For Immediate Release
Ewing, NJ (Monday, May 11, 2015) ― At a press conference today in the Serenity Garden in Trenton, Rep, Bonnie Watson Coleman announced plans to introduce the Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act of 2015, legislation that would place limits and safeguards on the online market for ammunition.
“Today, I stood with faith leaders, community members, and elected officials who all agree that we need to take every action available to us to reduce gun violence, and the tragic impact it has on our communities,” said Congresswoman Watson Coleman. “This bill would take the most basic steps to slow the proliferation of guns and ammunition, helping to prevent events like what we saw in Aurora, Colorado three years ago. Congress can, and must do more to keep our families safe, and we’re urging them to do just that.”
“Far too many times, we have seen the shocking images of unspeakable gun violence that could have been prevented,” said Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06), an original cosponsor. “Our bill to limit the online sale of ammunition is a long-overdue common sense reform that I am hopeful will spark Congress to put aside party difference and come together to help prevent such senseless tragedies.”
“Too many lives have been lost as a result of senseless gun violence, and it’s well past time for Congress to enact sensible gun safety measures like reducing unchecked online ammunition purchases,” said Congressman Donald Payne, Jr. (NJ-10), an original cosponsor of the bill. “This common-sense reform would save lives by depriving violent criminals of a means of anonymously amassing ammunition without proper scrutiny. As a cosponsor of this legislation, I am proud to join Congresswoman Watson Coleman in taking proactive steps to reduce gun violence and prevent another tragedy.”
Carole Stiller, President of the NJ Million Mom March (MMM) Chapters, said that local MMM/Brady Chapters across the country will be reaching out to their congressional representatives to cosponsor the Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act of 2015 and that the staff of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence in Washington will be working on the Hill to move this legislation forward. “A consumer product that has the potential to kill, like a bullet, should be regulated in a manner similar to cigarettes and certain allergy medicines,” Stiller said. “Legislation like this can help prevent tragedies.”
“Every day that we fail to make basic changes to our nation’s gun laws is one more day that the lives of our loved ones are put needlessly at risk," said Milly Silva, Executive Vice President of 1199SEIU. "In hospitals and rehabilitation centers across the country, the healthcare workers of 1199 SEIU witness first-hand the devastating impact of gun violence. We are proud to stand with Congresswoman Watson Coleman to support this legislation which will help to protect our communities against violence which tears apart so many innocent families.”
"As a long time leader in gun violence prevention, our Ceasefire NJ Project has overcome the resistance of the NRA to other common sense laws such as New Jersey's Assault Weapons Ban, limiting handgun purchases to one per month, and the Childproof Handgun Bill,” said. Rev. Robert Moore, Executive Director of the Coalition for Peace Action. “ We are committed to join with Rep. Watson Coleman and others in fighting for this important new gun safety measure."
The Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act of 2015 would require federally licensed ammunitions dealers to confirm the identity of individuals who arrange to purchase ammunition over the internet by verifying a photo I.D. in-person. The bill would also require ammunition vendors to report any sales of more than 1,000 rounds within five consecutive days to the U.S. Attorney General, if the person purchasing ammunition is not a licensed dealer.
The bill has been endorsed by the Brady Campaign to End Gun Violence and its nationwide network of chapters, and the Newtown Action Alliance.
To see the text of the bill, click here.