Require universal background checks for every gun purchase.

requiring universal background checks for every gun purchase

Clark commits to requiring universal background checks for all gun purchases.

Gun Safety | Congresswoman Katherine Clark
secondary · other · model gpt-5.5

Clark, Katherine M. [D-MA] (113th-119th)

Clark is listed as a cosponsor of H.R.18, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025, reflecting support for expanded background checks for gun purchases.

Cosponsors - H.R.18 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
secondary · other · model gpt-5.5

Congress.gov shows H.R.8 as a bill to expand background checks for private-party firearm transfers; it passed the House 227-203 but its latest Senate action was placement on the legislative calendar, not enactment.

A universal-background-check bill advanced in the House during Clark's federal service but did not become law.

never same_term A for effort

H.R.8 - Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 95%

The House Clerk recorded Roll Call 75 on H.R.8 as passed, 227 yeas to 203 nays; Katherine Clark of Massachusetts voted Yea.

Clark supported the 2021 House-passed universal background checks bill, showing concrete legislative effort despite non-enactment.

never same_term A for effort

Roll Call 75 | Bill Number: H.R. 8
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 97%

Congress.gov lists S.2938 as Public Law 117-159. CRS summarizes it as expanding background check requirements, including added NICS checks for purchasers aged 18 to 21.

The enacted 2022 law delivered a narrower background-check expansion, not universal checks for every purchase.

partial same_term A for effort

S.2938 - Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, 117th Congress
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 94%

The House Clerk recorded final House passage of S.2938 at 234 yeas to 193 nays; Katherine Clark of Massachusetts voted Yea.

Clark voted for the enacted Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which partially expanded background checks.

partial same_term A for effort

Office of the Clerk, U.S. House Roll Call 299, S. 2938
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 97%

The final ATF rule says it will increase NICS checks but states that Congress has not required universal background checks and the rule does not cover private sales by non-business sellers.

Federal implementation expanded checks for more sellers, but an official rule confirms universal background checks were still not required.

partial same_term

Definition of “Engaged in the Business” as a Dealer in Firearms
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 98%

Congress.gov lists H.R.18 as introduced and referred to House Judiciary, with the short description requiring a background check for every firearm sale.

A new universal-background-check bill was pending as of the 119th Congress, so the promise remained unfulfilled while effort continued.

never same_term A for effort

H.R.18 - Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 95%

The introduced bill text names Clark of Massachusetts among original supporters and states the bill would require a background check for every firearm sale.

Clark continued concrete action by backing the 2025 universal-background-check bill, but the bill had not become law.

never same_term A for effort

Text - H.R.18 - Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 96%