--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: So many deaths could be prevented if…" description: "\"So many deaths could be prevented if measures were implemented to expand background checks and keep individuals like John Hinckley from ever buying fir..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5c/charles-b-rangel-11289_background_so-many-deaths-could-be-prevented-if-mea_1299933.jpg" --- # So many deaths could be prevented if measures were… ![“So many deaths could be prevented if measures were implemented to expand background checks and keep individuals like John Hinckley from ever buying firearms in the first place.” quote by Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5c/charles-b-rangel-11289_background_so-many-deaths-could-be-prevented-if-mea_1299933.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5c/charles-b-rangel-11289_background_so-many-deaths-could-be-prevented-if-mea_1299933.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5c/charles-b-rangel-11289_background_so-many-deaths-could-be-prevented-if-mea_1299933.jpg) > “So many deaths could be prevented if measures were implemented to expand background checks and keep individuals like John Hinckley from ever buying firearms in the first place.” [Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Expanding background checks could stop dangerous individuals from obtaining guns, reducing preventable deaths. **In simple terms:** Background checks can stop dangerous shooters. Key Takeaway Advocate for stricter gun purchase laws. Themes public safety gun control prevention Mood concerned determined Type advocacy policy When to use this quote - legislative hearings - community advocacy - law enforcement training Key Concepts policy reform risk assessment Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance rights with safety? - What barriers hinder policy adoption? A Different Perspective Implementation faces political resistance and enforcement challenges. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amendment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amendment/) [Background](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/background/) [Background checks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/background-checks/) [Buying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buying/) [Buying Firearms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buying-firearms-1148821/) [Checks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/checks/) [Could](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/could/) [Deaths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deaths/) [Deaths Prevented](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deaths-prevented-4264783/) [Ever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ever/) [Expand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expand/) [Firearms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firearms/) [First](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first/) [First place](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-place/) [Implemented](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/implemented/) [Individuals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individuals/) [John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/john/) [John Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/john-hinckley-2710815/) [Keep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/keep/) [Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like/) [Many](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/many/) [Measures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/measures/) [Place](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/place/) [Prevented Measures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prevented-measures-4264784/) [Were](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/were/) ## Related quotes > [I still remember March 31, 1981, when a deeply disturbed John Hinckley Jr. took aim at President Ronald Reagan and fired shots that hospitalized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/i-still-remember-march-31-1981-when-a-deeply-disturbed-john-hinckley/) [Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/) > [Most breast cancer-related deaths can be prevented through simple and painless preventive measures. A late diagnosis can result in more serious, long-term consequences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olympia-snowe/most-breast-cancer-related-deaths-can-be-prevented-through-simple-and/) [Olympia Snowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olympia-snowe/) > [Gun owners are not buying firearms because they anticipate a confrontation with the government. Rather, we anticipate confrontations where the government isn't there -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-lapierre/gun-owners-are-not-buying-firearms-because-they-anticipate-a/) [Wayne LaPierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-lapierre/) > [“Had J.D. Salinger known who John Hinckley and mark David Chapman were before they bought his books or took them out of the library?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-langer/had-j-d-salinger-known-who-john-hinckley-and-mark-david-chapman-were/) [Adam Langer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-langer/) > [Changes must be invoked and implemented.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suman-rai/changes-must-be-invoked-and-implemented/) [Suman Rai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suman-rai/) > [You might think otherwise, but it doesn't naturally follow that because a law has been passed by Congress and signed by the president, said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-taibbi/you-might-think-otherwise-but-it-doesn-t-naturally-follow-that/) [Matt Taibbi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-taibbi/) > [If I can help create an environment where the principles that I believe in can be implemented - to me, that's fulfilling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeb-bush/if-i-can-help-create-an-environment-where-the-principles-that-i/) [Jeb Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeb-bush/) > [There are nuclear-weapons-free zones in several parts of the world already, except that they're not implemented fully, because the U.S. won't allow it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/there-are-nuclear-weapons-free-zones-in-several-parts-of-the-world/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [The American people are opposed to ObamaCare. They were when the law passed; they're still opposed to it. But the fact of the matter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-heineman/the-american-people-are-opposed-to-obamacare-they-were-when-the-law/) [Dave Heineman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-heineman/) > [Progressive policies implemented since the early 1900s launched America into the modern age and created a vibrant middle class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-ellison/progressive-policies-implemented-since-the-early-1900s-launched/) [Keith Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-ellison/) > [What I say is I am somebody who cares about conservative ideas. I want to see them implemented in governance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-frum/what-i-say-is-i-am-somebody-who-cares-about-conservative-ideas-i-want/) [David Frum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-frum/) > [A free Net may depend on some wisely developed and implemented locks and a community ethos that secures the keys to those locks among…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-zittrain/a-free-net-may-depend-on-some-wisely-developed-and-implemented-locks/) [Jonathan Zittrain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-zittrain/) > [Bike lanes are clearly controversial. And one of the problems with bike lanes - and I'm generally a supporter of bike lanes - but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-quinn/bike-lanes-are-clearly-controversial-and-one-of-the-problems-with/) [Christine Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-quinn/) > [When the Veterans Affairs Department implemented a program to provide home-based health care to veterans with multiple chronic conditions - many of the system's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-wyden/when-the-veterans-affairs-department-implemented-a-program-to-provide/) [Ron Wyden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-wyden/) > [During three decades from 1947 to 1977, the nation implemented what might be called a basic bargain with American workers. Employers paid them enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reich/during-three-decades-from-1947-to-1977-the-nation-implemented-what/) [Robert Reich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reich/) ## More by Charles B. Rangel > [I think that, as Americans, we should never forget that when we tamper with freedom of speech, it is a very sensitive issue that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/i-think-that-as-americans-we-should-never-forget-that-when-we-tamper/) [Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/) > [The Affordable Care Act has been designed to provide health security by driving competition, lowering premiums, and protecting families.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/the-affordable-care-act-has-been-designed-to-provide-health-security/) [Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/) > [Since January 2003, at the height of the debate on the possible unilateral strike against Iraq, I have advocated for a reinstatement of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/since-january-2003-at-the-height-of-the-debate-on-the-possible/) [Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/) > [Under Saddam Hussein, the nation of Iraq possessed and used chemical weapons against both their own Kurdish population and Iranian military forces.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/under-saddam-hussein-the-nation-of-iraq-possessed-and-used-chemical/) [Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/) > [Those of us in the Congress must confront and overcome Republican intransigence to increasing the minimum wage, extending unemployment insurance and protecting food stamps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/those-of-us-in-the-congress-must-confront-and-overcome-republican/) [Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/) > [What are we Democrats fighting for? We are not fighting for salvation and going to heaven. But we are fighting for Medicaid, Medicare, health…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/what-are-we-democrats-fighting-for-we-are-not-fighting-for-salvation/) [Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/) > [We all want a simpler code, but tax reform is about much more. It is about ensuring that everyone pays their fair share. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/we-all-want-a-simpler-code-but-tax-reform-is-about-much-more-it-is/) [Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/) > [Manufactured scandals prohibit public servants from doing the job they were elected or appointed to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/manufactured-scandals-prohibit-public-servants-from-doing-the-job/) [Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/) > [As a high school dropout, I understand the value of education: A second chance at obtaining my high school diploma through the G.I. Bill…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/as-a-high-school-dropout-i-understand-the-value-of-education-a-second/) [Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/) > [I am proud to represent New York's 13th Congressional District, which has one of the largest and diverse populations in the country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/i-am-proud-to-represent-new-york-s-13th-congressional-district-which/) [Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/) > [No one should go into debt if a family member gets sick or injured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/no-one-should-go-into-debt-if-a-family-member-gets-sick-or-injured/) [Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/) > [I went to college and law school with the help of the GI Bill. That experience moved me so much, I dedicated the rest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/i-went-to-college-and-law-school-with-the-help-of-the-gi-bill-that/) [Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/) > [Since most American students cannot simply pay their full tuition out of pocket, financing a college education often takes the form of loans, both…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/since-most-american-students-cannot-simply-pay-their-full-tuition-out/) [Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/) > [The right to vote should be considered sacred in our democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/the-right-to-vote-should-be-considered-sacred-in-our-democracy/) [Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/) > [Whether you are Republican or Democrat or liberal or conservative, we should never, never, never allow ourselves emotionally to interfere with another person's right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/whether-you-are-republican-or-democrat-or-liberal-or-conservative-we/) [Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/) [Explore all 60 Charles B. Rangel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/) ## More Amendment quotes > [There are a lot of people who want to retain the Eighth Amendment - I don't agree with that view myself - there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-varadkar/there-are-a-lot-of-people-who-want-to-retain-the-eighth-amendment-i/) [Leo Varadkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-varadkar/) > [“Let's just make this easy. I'm in favor of a Constitutional amendment that would read something like this: 'Neither the federal government, nor any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-boortz/let-s-just-make-this-easy-i-m-in-favor-of-a-constitutional-amendment/) [Neal Boortz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-boortz/) > [If you reduce the guns and the ammo, you'll reduce the murders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/if-you-reduce-the-guns-and-the-ammo-you-ll-reduce-the-murders/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [Gun control laws don't work. What is worse, they act perversely. While legitimate users of firearms encounter intense regulation, scrutiny and bureaucratic control, illicit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-d-polsby/gun-control-laws-don-t-work-what-is-worse-they-act-perversely-while/) [Daniel D. 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In the 1950s they actually got the phrase…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/this-separation-was-absolute-in-our-original-republic-but-the-sky/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [Guns aren't the problem; sick people are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sessions/guns-aren-t-the-problem-sick-people-are/) [Pete Sessions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sessions/) > [The proliferation of right-to-carry laws throughout the states has drawn plaintive complaints from the criminal element. They feel that it makes their profession too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-cooper/the-proliferation-of-right-to-carry-laws-throughout-the-states-has/) [Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cooper/) > [Gun violence has cost us too many political leaders, and hardly ever the worst ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/gun-violence-has-cost-us-too-many-political-leaders-and-hardly-ever/) [P. J. 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