After the meeting, Peters released the following statement: 

“Americans are being gunned down in public places all across this nation while members of Congress go to work in buildings secured by police at every entry and do nothing because Republican leadership is afraid to stand up to the gun lobby. 

“Today’s meeting was about refusing to accept everyday gun violence as normal and taking steps to keep guns out of dangerous hands. I’d much prefer Congressional action, but if Speaker Ryan cannot summon the courage to call a vote on gun safety legislation, the President is left with no choice but to take executive action in order to save American lives.  

“While these actions are an important step in the right direction, they do not let Congress off the hook. I will continue to remind Speaker Ryan and House leadership of the human cost of their inaction until they allow a vote on bipartisan measures to permanently close deadly loopholes in our background check system.”

In November, Rep. Peters signed a letter along with 114 of his colleagues to the President asking him to close loopholes in our background check system through executive action. Specifically, the letter urged the president to clarify the term “engaged in the business” as it pertains to federally licensed firearms dealers to require more sellers to obtain a license and conduct background checks. Currently, loopholes in our federal gun safety laws allow many firearms purchases online or at a gun shows to proceed no questions asked and without a background check.

Last month, Rep. Peters began reading the names of mass shooting victims since the tragedy at Sandy Hook in a series of speeches in front of the House of Representatives to remind Speaker Ryan of the human cost of his inaction to curb gun violence. Rep. Peters is an active member of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and a co-sponsor of the bipartisan King-Thompson background check legislation, which he has been urging leadership to bring up for a vote.

Congressman Peters serves the 52nd District of California which covers much of central San Diego County including Poway, Coronado, and large portions of the City of San Diego. He is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and House Judiciary Committee. The Congressman is a former environmental attorney, City Council President, and Port Commission Chairman.

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