From school security to red flag laws, here's what's being proposed in the bipartisan gun safety package that some GOP lawmakers have vowed to vote against
Sarah Silbiger/Pool via AP
- A bipartisan group of 20 senators announced Sunday they had come to an agreement on gun reform.
- The proposed package includes support for red flag laws, school security, and mental health.
- Biden said it would be the "most significant gun safety legislation to pass Congress in decades."
A bipartisan group of 20 senators on Sunday announced a proposal for a comprehensive package aimed at tackling gun violence that includes support for red flag laws, school security, and mental health services.
Led by Sens. Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, and John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, the lawmakers said in a statement the "commonsense, bipartisan proposal" would "protect America's children, keep our schools safe, and reduce the threat of violence across our country."
"Most importantly, our plan saves lives while also protecting the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans," the senators, split roughly evenly between Democrats and Republicans, said.
President Joe Biden praised the agreement, despite acknowledging he has called for more sweeping legislation, saying it would be the "most significant gun safety legislation to pass Congress in decades."
The package would be less comprehensive than what Democrats initially sought on gun reform. Some Republican lawmakers have already vowed to vote against it or denounced their colleagues who support it, but others expressed openness to reviewing the bill.
A final piece of legislation has not been drafted, but here's what the senators said they are proposing.
Support for red flags laws
The proposal includes providing resources to states and tribal nations to support crisis intervention orders, also known as red flag laws. Red flag laws allow courts to authorize law enforcement to temporarily confiscate a person's gun if a judge determines they pose an immediate threat to themself or others.
Typically a potentially dangerous person could be flagged to authorities by a friend or family member. About 20 states currently have some form of a red flag law in place.
Investment in mental health services and telehealth
The lawmakers plan to include investments in mental health and suicide prevention programs, as well as a national expansion of community mental health clinics. The proposal also includes investments in telehealth mental health services for kids and their families.
Closing the 'boyfriend loophole'
The senators are proposing that convicted perpetrators of domestic violence or people who are the subject of a domestic violence restraining order be added to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, or NICS.
Convicted domestic abusers are already prohibited from buying firearms, but only if they were married to, shared a child with, or lived with the victim, which has been referred to as the "boyfriend loophole."
Funding for school security
The legislation would provide funding to programs aimed at preventing school shootings, training students and staff, and improving school security, an objective that has become increasingly popular with Republican lawmakers since the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
Cracking down on illegal gun dealers and straw purchases
The proposal includes clarifying who needs to register as a federal firearms dealer, which is aimed at addressing dealers who illegally evade licensing requirements and ensuring all commercial sellers are completing background checks.
It also aims to crack down on gun trafficking and straw purchasing, which is when someone buys a firearm on behalf of another who is unable to buy it themselves, in an attempt to prevent the flow of illegal guns into cities.
Expanding background checks for buyers who are under 21
The senators are also proposing enhanced background checks for firearms buyers who are younger than 21. The enhanced review process would take additional time and include checking juvenile and mental health records, in addition to consulting with state and local law enforcement records.
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