Bipartisan Gun Safety Bill
With Roe v. Wade overturned in the Supreme Court, it seems as though the United States is going backwards, but there was a spark of hope in Congress. A bipartisan bill was passed on the 25th which aimed to enforce more safety measures for current and potential gun owners.
What was included
Red Flag Laws:
The bill provided a $750 million package that helps states fund crisis intervention such as mental health programs and red flag laws. Red flag laws prevent individuals who are deemed too dangerous to own a firearm. This time, the bill expands these red flag laws to dating partners, instead of just spouses, closing the “boyfriend loophole.” Though, the law does allow those charged with domestic violence to retain their gun rights after five years, if they have not committed any crimes since then.
Background Checks:
Along with those measures, are expanded background checks for buyers under 21. Juvenile and mental health records are now required to be included in these checks. Instead of the short 3 days of background checks, authorities now have 10 days of more extensive searches.
If a record was discovered, the investigation would be turned to the FBI.
“Straw Purchasers”:
The bill covers illegal purchases, something the law did not previously cover. Unlawful possession of a firearm can cost a person 15 years in prison. If an illegal buyer’s firearm was used in connection with crimes such as trafficking or terroism, then they can be incarcerated for 25 years.
A Compromise
Although a bipartisan bill, the Democrats who proposed it, did not get everything they had hoped for. The party wished for more extensive changes such as those in the Assault Weapons Ban of 1994. Unlike the latter, it failed to ban any weapons, especially semi-automatic weapons from buyers under 21. With red flag laws, proponents of the bill wanted a more universal federal red flag law, that restricts arms from individuals considered dangerous by a federal judge, but had to compromise with state-ran regulations.
Republicans agreed to the bill only if some offenders regain their rights, instead of the proposed permanent ban of guns for criminals. Mental health funding was another part of the bill that was heavily compromised. Additionally, Republicans insisted on minimal government spending, so the measure would cost only $13.2 billion. Lastly, universal background checks, the ban of large-capacity magazines, required licenses, or waiting periods have failed to make it into the bill.
The Future of Gun Rights
The firearms safety bill does not come without consequences. The Supreme Court recently struck down a New York law banning concealed carry, deeming the right to carry a handgun in public as a constitutional right. In addition, gun violence does not seem to be slowing down. In the United States, there is a mass shooting everyday, though many are not televised. However, continued pressure on lawmakers has proved that it is possible that political parties can work together to make meaningful gun legislation. It creates hope that gun violence in the United States may one day be a thing of the past.
https://www.npr.org/2022/06/25/1107626030/biden-signs-gun-safety-law
https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/25/politics/biden-signs-gun-bill/index.html
