HispanicBusiness

Reacting to the Newtown massacre, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor says Congress should act immediately to ban assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines, and close the "gun show loophole."

"We simply cannot tolerate this type of violence any longer," Castor said in a news release today. "There is no reason people need access to assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Common sense regulation is appropriate. It is time for us as a Congress and as a nation to take swift action. Congress should consider and pass the assault weapons ban this week.

"I hope this tragedy is a wake-up call," she added.

Castor is a co-sponsor of two gun-related bills.

One would ban ammunition magazines that have a capacity of more than 10 rounds, which was part of the former Federal Assault Weapons Ban that was repealed in 2004.

The other, the Fix Gun Checks Act, "would ensure all individuals who should be prohibited from buying a firearm are listed in the national instant criminal background check system," and that "a background check will be required for every firearm sale."

Currently, background checks are required only for individuals who buy guns from licensed dealers, a situation sometimes called "the gun show loophole," referring to sales at gun shows.