Press Releases

Washington DC – Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) announced the reintroduction of Jaime’s Law, a commonsense bicameral piece of legislation that would require instant background checks to prevent criminals from illegally purchasing ammunition. 

Watch Wasserman Schultz's full press conference with Fred Guttenberg, gun violence advocate and father of Parkland shooting victim Jaime Guttenberg, here.

Under current law, dangerous individuals such as violent criminals and domestic abusers are prohibited from purchasing a firearm as well as ammunition. However, unlike firearms, federal law does not require a background check to prevent the illegal purchase of ammunition. Jaime’s Law would close this loophole by requiring buyers to either provide a license for the firearm or undergo an instant background check using the FBI National Instant Background Check System (NICS) before purchasing the ammunition. NICS is the same quick and easy process that applies to the purchase of firearms. 

Jaime’s Law is named in honor of Jaime Guttenberg, one of 17 victims murdered in the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. 

“No family should endure the heartbreaking agony of losing a loved one to gun violence. Yet every day, families across America still endure this torment, and the lifetime of anguish it brings. Thankfully, more of those impacted by it are joining courageous parents like Fred Guttenberg and other gun safety advocates, to demand that Congress confront this public health crisis,” said Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz. “That’s why I'm proud to reintroduce Jaime’s Law, named in honor of Fred’s talented and compassionate daughter. This crucial legislation is part of the multifaceted legal approach we need to finally end the gun violence epidemic. A required background check to buy ammunition is already in place. But closing this loophole, to actually enforce that law, can and will save lives."

“This legislation closes a dangerous loophole by requiring background checks on purchases of ammunition—a commonsense solution to combat the epidemic of gun violence in our country. Eight years ago, Jaime Guttenberg’s mom and dad received a phone call that is every parent’s worst nightmare. Named in her honor, this legislation imposes life-saving background checks on ammunition purchases to prevent more senseless tragedies from devastating American families and plaguing our communities,” said Senator Blumenthal.

“This Saturday will be 8 years since the Parkland shooting and the murder of my daughter.  Because of what happened to my family and our community, I have spent the following years working to reduce gun violence.  Because of the work done during the Biden Presidency, gun violence has come down significantly.  We proved that effective policy and government can work to enhance public safety and reduce the risk of gun violence,” said Fred Guttenberg, founder of Orange Ribbons For Jaime. “In spite of the efforts of this administration to undo so much of that life saving work, recently the President and his cabinet recognized the reality of gun violence and too many guns on our streets.  While I do not expect them to take any action on that, perhaps this administration and Congress could join us with support for Jaime's Law.  Jaime's Law seeks to do nothing more than extend background checks to ammunition.  We are a nation awash in weapons.  However, they do not work without ammunition.  Let's work together to pass Jaime's Law this year.”

“It’s simply common sense that individuals prohibited by law from purchasing ammunition should be unable to buy it, but the Brady Background Check system does not allow for background checks on ammunition purchases — weakening our nation’s ability to prevent senseless tragedies,” said Mark Collins, Director of Federal Policy at Brady. “Jaime’s Law will expand the background check system to allow for background checks to be run ahead of ammunition purchases and ensure that only licensed vendors can sell ammunition to the public. Brady applauds Senator Blumenthal and Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz for honoring Jaime Guttenberg and all of those lost to preventable gun violence with the reintroduction of this important legislation.”

Many states, like Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, California, and New York, led the way in requiring a background check to obtain a license to purchase or possess ammunition. Yet we know gun safety measures save far more lives when they are enacted nationwide, and purchasers don’t evade background checks by crossing state lines, or shopping for lax state regulations. Various experts point to enforcement of existing ammunition prohibitions as one of the most non-invasive, yet effective strategies for curbing gun violence. 

Find the full bill text here.

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