Amy Schumer renews call for stricter gun control

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/oct/26/amy-schumer-renews-call-stricter-gun-control

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Amy Schumer has renewed her call for stricter gun control, alongside her cousin, the Democrat senator Chuck Schumer.

Speaking on the steps of New York City Hall yesterday, the star called for tighter restrictions on gun sales, introducing a hashtag #aimingforchange to raise awareness of loopholes in legislation that can allow violent criminals or the severely mentally ill to buy a gun.

Schumer became involved with the gun control movement after a shooting at a showing of her romantic comedy, Trainwreck, in Lafayette, Louisiana in July. Two people were killed and nine injured, before the gunman, 59-year-old John Russell Houser killed himself. Houser was reported to have a history of mental health issues.

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The Schumers are campaigning for background checks to be introduced at gun shows and during online purchases, for sales to people with domestic abuse convictions to be restricted and for gun trafficking and “straw purchasing” (the purchase of a gun by an intermediary) to be made federal crimes.

Schumer said the pair’s proposed legislation is not about taking guns from rightful owners, but about restricting sale to those with a history of violence. The comedian also recently dedicated her HBO special, Live at the Apollo, to her niece and the two victims of the Lafayette shooting.