WASHINGTON D.C.- U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride is backing a new bipartisan effort in Congress that would require background checks for all gun sales.
The legislation, known as the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025 (H.R. 18), was introduced by Reps. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), with McBride joining as a co-sponsor.
Right now, federal law only requires licensed gun dealers to run background checks. This bill would close the so-called "loophole" that allows sales by unlicensed sellers—such as private or online transactions—to go unchecked.
“Gun violence has become the leading cause of death for American children,” McBride said in a statement. “That is not freedom—it is failure.”
Traci Manza Murphy, with the Delaware Coalition Against Gun Violence, said the legislation would help reinforce state-level policies.
“In Delaware, we’ve seen how commonsense gun safety laws can save lives—but without federal action, our progress is vulnerable,” she said.
McBride previously supported sweeping gun safety laws in Delaware, including bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. She said federal action is the next step.
“We owe it to every family shattered by gun violence to do more than mourn, but to move,” she said.