The United State Senators on Sunday, June 12, 2022, announced a framework agreement on new gun legislation, marking a breakthrough in a collection of measures to combat gun violence, including “red flag” laws and enhanced background checks on gun buyers.
The Chief representatives of the deal are; Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., an outspoken proponent of gun safety laws, and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.
According to the source familiar with the negotiations said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, a firm Second Amendment advocate who has promised the new measures won’t affect the gun rights of law-abiding Americans and the final bill hasn’t been written yet.
Murphy, Cornyn and other senators involved in the talks said in a joint statement, “Today, we are announcing a commonsense, bipartisan proposal to protect America’s children, keep our schools safe, and reduce the threat of violence across our country,”
“Families are scared, and it is our duty to come together and get something done that will help restore their sense of safety and security in their”.
The President of the United States Joe Biden said the measure would become the most significant piece of firearms legislation produced by Congress in nearly three decades.
According to the reports, the centerpiece of the Senate deal is to provide solid resources for states to implement “red flag” laws, which allow individuals like police or family members to petition courts to keep firearms away from people deemed a risk to themselves or others.
Currently, 19 states and the community of Columbia have red flag laws on the books. The new provisions are aimed at increasing in number and improving their implementation.
The agreement also establishes a more rigorous process for background checks on people between 18 and 21 years old, with an enhanced review that includes contacting state and local law enforcement for criminal records that could be disqualifying, and to appropriate state organizations for mental health information that could affect the decision.
The proposal also seeks to clarify ambiguities over who must register as a federally licensed firearm dealer for the purposes of conducting background checks.
The Senators said, “Our plan increases needed mental health resources, improves school safety and support for students, and helps ensure dangerous criminals and those who are adjudicated as mentally ill can’t purchase weapons,”
“Most importantly, our plan saves lives while also protecting the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans. We look forward to earning broad, bipartisan support and passing our commonsense proposal into law.”
A source said the agreement would also include a provision to address the so-called boyfriend loophole on domestic violence.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he’s “pleased that, for the first time in nearly 30 years, Congress is on the path to take meaningful action to address gun violence.”
“After an unrelenting wave of gun-related suicides and homicides, including mass shootings, the Senate is poised to act on commonsense reforms to protect Americans where they live, where they shop, and where they learn,”
“We must move swiftly to advance this legislation because if a single life can be saved it is worth the effort,” he added.
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