Keep Guns Out Of Dangerous Hands: Close The Charleston Loophole!

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and national protests against police brutality, gun sales have reached record-breaking highs. New data suggests that nearly THREE MILLION more guns have been sold since March 2020 than would have ordinarily been sold.

This dramatic spike in gun sales has overwhelmed the country's background check system. As the FBI struggles to meet the demand for background checks, a troubling number of guns are slipping through the cracks because of the Charleston loophole.

This deadly loophole allowed a white supremacist in Charleston to get the gun he used to kill nine Black churchgoers at Mother Emanuel AME in 2015. Here's how it works: Anyone purchasing a gun from a licensed dealer must undergo a background check. But, if the FBI is unable to complete a background check within three business days, the buyer is allowed to get their gun no questions asked.

Experts estimate that in one month alone, more than 1,100 guns fell into the hands of prohibited purchasers because of this gap in the law. The continued surge in gun sales makes it more important than ever to close the Charleston loophole.

We need your help to ensure our lawmakers understand the urgency of this issue. Add your name today to demand that Congress close the Charleston loophole and help prevent guns from falling into dangerous hands.