(Washington Insider Magazine)-Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), the House Oversight Committee Chairwoman, presented two forms of legislation on Friday, proposing the firearm industry should be liable for allowing private citizens access to assault weapons used in combat through new proposed firearm legislation.
If this measure set forth by potential new firearm legislation is enacted by both the House and Senate, the Firearm Industry Fairness Act would reinforce a 20% tax on the income of producers who manufacture and sell powerful assault weapons to wholesalers. Maloney proposes the proceeds from the imposed tax should be used to fund programs addressing gun violence and aid in assisting victims of firearm-related violence.
The second bill, the FICTAA, suggests a mandatory crime tracking system that would force companies producing firearms to track the crimes executed with guns produced and sold by their companies and retailers.
The two pieces of legislation come months after a shooting in Uvalde, TX, that claimed the lives of 19 elementary students and 2 teachers.
In efforts to eliminate mass shootings, Maloney’s legislation would force firearm manufacturers to stop merchandising their weapons to companies that unknowingly sell weapons being peddled or used in criminal offenses.
After extensive research into the firearms industry, the oversight committee assembled to hear from several firearms producers, as well as Sturm, Daniel Defense, and Smith & Wesson Brands, 6 finding information that led them to believe many gunmakers were still profiting from sales regardless of the harm being caused by these weapons built for combat.
Maloney shared about the conversations she and her committee had this summer with those affected by gun violence and how it motivated her to take action as a member of Congress.
Many are unsure whether this bill will receive any attention in the House as midterms quickly approach.
Maloney hopes to build on the work of President Joe Biden, striving to prevent gun violence around the nation. This summer, the President signed a bill allowing states the right to enforce “red flag” laws, require extensive background checks, and fund mental health services.
