x
Breaking News
More () »

DC mom with ties to gun violence shares hopes for historic background check legislation

She has a history of suicide by gun in her family; her husband attended Marjory Stoneman Douglas; and she grew up in Squirrel Hill, PA.

WASHINGTON — In a historic vote, the House of Representatives passed two gun control bills on Wednesday and Thursday.

On Wednesday, the House passed the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, which would require background checks for all gun sales, including online and at gun shows.

On Thursday, it passed the Enhanced Background Checks Act, which gives the FBI more time to conduct these checks.

RELATED: DC Council approves stronger gun laws

Right now, if the FBI can't complete the background check in three days, the gun sale can proceed without it.

The bill aims to extend the timeline to ten days.

For those, like Rachel Usdan, who have found themselves connected to some of last year's major mass shootings, these bills are a necessary first step.

“It’s a surreal experience to get a news alert on your phone to say your name of your high school…or the neighborhood where you grew up. You’re frantically calling people making sure everyone you know is okay. You’re in shock," said Usdan.

Rachel Usdan is currently serving as the chapter lead for Moms Demand Action DC.

She said she originally joined the organization, because she is passionate about the cause.

But now, she has a personal connection.

Credit: Courtesy

Her husband is an alumnus of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.

"So that was a terrible shock for us and has motivated us to get involved," said Rachel.

The couple headed to the first ever March for Our Lives, her husband holding up a banner with other MSD alum.

Credit: Rachel Usdan

Just seven months after the birth of this movement, however, tragedy struck even closer to home.

“I never felt like I had been personally impacted as much as with the Squirrel Hill shooting just because my family’s still there. I grew up there. My cousins were members of the synagogue there. I went to bar and baht mitzvahs at the synagogue, so it was a terrible shock," said Rachel.

But these mass shootings weren't her family's first experience with guns.

“There is a history of suicide by gun in my family. It’s a private topic that my family doesn’t really talk about, but it is a stigma. It is something that affects a lot of families, and there is a stigma," said Rachel.

RELATED: White House plans to veto gun purchase background check bills if passed

In fact, the CDC reports that two thirds of all gun deaths are suicides.

A different study from the Journal of Surgical Research found that the suicide rate decreased in states with stricter background check laws.

Needless to say, the House passing these two bills back-to-back gives Rachel hope for the future.

“There are so many other bills we could pass…so many things that everyone should be able to get behind that don’t infringe on the Second Amendment, but I’m really excited about the path forward, seeing a path forward and not just being deadlocked," said Rachel.

That path forward has two major roadblocks ahead, though.

Advocates and colleagues will have to convince the Republican majority in the Senate to push the legislation through.

If they succeed, President Trump has vowed to veto them.

Before You Leave, Check This Out