WASHINGTON —Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) applauded the release of a new rule by the U.S. Department of Justice to codify changes outlined in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which the senators helped pass, to close the gun show loophole that has permitted the sale of firearms online and at gun shows without background checks. 

“When we passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, we secured long overdue, broadly popular provisions to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals,” said Sen. Warner. “I’m glad to see this law take another concrete step forward and close a loophole that allowed some individuals to attain firearms without a background check. This is another key step forward to preventing needless violence and making our communities safer, and I look forward to continuing to watch this law enact commonsense provisions that promote public safety and passing additional laws that address the tragic and deadly gun violence epidemic.” 

“Virginia has a lot of scar tissue related to gun violence, and we have a responsibility to do all that we can to reduce the risk of future tragedies,” said Sen. Kaine. “Requiring background checks for purchasers of firearms is a commonsense step in the right direction, and I’m proud to have helped pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act that made this progress possible. I will continue to do all that I can to build on this move to make our communities safer.”

Warner and Kaine have long supported a comprehensive approach to curbing gun violence. They have introduced the Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence—a bill based on commonsense measures adopted by Virginia, including the closure of the gun show loophole and other background check loopholes, better safeguards for victims of domestic violence, and incentives for states to implement Extreme Risk Protection Orders to remove firearms from individuals who pose a high risk of harming themselves or others. They are also cosponsors of legislation to ban assault weapons, and are consistent advocates for improved access to mental health services.