WASHINGTON – The Senate is debating a bipartisan bill to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people, the product of a compromise that could yield the most significant gun safety legislation in decades.
The bipartisan Safer Communities Act, written by a small group of Republicans and Democrats in the wake of mass shootings, will increase background checks on buyers 18- to 21-year-old guns, encourages states to enact “red flag” laws that allow temporary confiscation of firearms from people deemed dangerous and provides hundreds of millions of dollars for mental health and school safety learn. It would also extend to dating partners, a federal law that bans domestic abusers from buying guns.
A test vote on Thursday signaled the measure was more than enough support to pass the equally divided Senate, after 15 Republicans crossed party lines in favor of the review, pushing it through a rotation. A final vote on the passage is expected as early as Thursday night.
The 80-page bill doesn’t have some of the toughest gun control measures Democrats have long sought, but enacting it would still be a remarkable breakthrough after years of stalemate in Congress over whether or not it should be approved. Address gun violence in the United States. To win over Republicans, Democrats had to give up some of their more expansive proposals, many of which passed the house but stalled in the Senate amid Republican opposition.
Here’s a look at what’s on the bill – and what’s left.
Advanced background checks for younger gun buyers
Juvenile records, including those related to mental health, will be required for the first time through criminal background checks of potential gun buyers under the age of 21, and authorities will have more time to conduct the test – 10 days, up from the current three.
By law, federal authorities would have to check with local law enforcement and review state records to determine if a potential buyer has a history of juvenile crime or mental health. God will make them ineligible to buy guns or not. If they find such a file, they will forward it to the FBI for further investigation.
What remains: This proposal is inconsistent with legislation passed the House of Representatives that prohibits anyone under the age of 21 from purchasing a semi-automatic firearm.
Democrats also agreed to allow an enhanced background check requirement for young buyers to expire after 10 years, leaving future Congresses wondering whether it should be extended. or not. A similar “sunset” provision allowed the federal assault weapons ban to be enacted in 1994. lapsed in 2004to the chagrin of Democrats, who were never able to muster enough support to revive it.
And there’s a limit to how long authorities can access a buyer’s mental health history; Such records from before a potential buyer turns 16 do not disqualify them from purchasing a firearm.
Encourage states to implement red flag laws
The bill would provide $750 million in federal money to states creating so-called red flag laws, allowing guns temporarily confiscated from people deemed dangerous by the judge. The grant, which aims to encourage the enactment of such measures, will also support the creation of crisis intervention court programs.
What remains: Democrats want to go beyond providing incentives to the states and enact a federal red flag measure, passed in the House of Representatives, that would allow guns to be taken from anyone ordered by a federal judge. is dangerous.
Close the ‘boyfriend hole’
One of the bills of final sticking point is a provision to tighten federal law to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers. It would expand existing law that prohibits people convicted of domestic violence or subject to a domestic violence ban from purchasing firearms. The current law only applies to people who are married or living with the victim, or have children with them.
The law would cover other close partners, closing what has been called the “boyfriend loophole”.
What remains: Democrats want a blanket ban, but in negotiations with Republicans they agreed to allow some violators to regain the ability to buy guns. If a person is a first-time offender and the offense is a violent misdemeanor, the restraining order will disappear five years after they finish their criminal sentence, as long as they have not committed further violent crimes. Negotiators also agreed not to put the provision retroactively, ahead of another Republican request.
Funding for mental health and school safety
The bill would allocate billions of dollars to schools and communities to expand mental health programs. The grant also aims to increase school safety. The bill provides $300 million over five years for school safety programs targeting violence to fund school officials and increase security in schools. Additionally, funding will go toward training school staff and adults who interact with minors to respond to mental health issues.
What remains: Republicans insist on keeping the bill’s cost as low as possible. In total, the measure will cost $13.2 billion.
More severe penalties for illegal trading
The bill would punish “straw buyers” or those who buy guns for unqualified people. There are no current laws that specifically prohibit these people or the illegal sale of firearms, so prosecutors have relied on people making false statements regarding gun purchases.
The bill would provide for penalties of up to 15 years in prison or 25 years if firearms are used in connection with serious criminal activity such as drug trafficking or terrorism. It will also provide resources to help prevent and investigate these purchases.
What remains: The bill does not include broader measures to impose universal background checks or ban the sale of high-volume journals. Republicans also said they refused to consider any mandatory waiting periods for gun sales or license requirements to purchase assault weapons.
Annie Karni contribution report.
