Dear John,
Americans have endured more than 250 mass shootings so far this year. For the first time in almost three decades, Congress has passed bipartisan legislation that will make us all safer from gun violence by a vote of 65-33 in the Senate and 234-193 in House.
One month after a mass shooting in Texas took the lives of 19 children and 2 adults, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is now headed for the President’s desk to sign into law.
This important legislation that I voted in favor of:
- Establishes a grant-to-states program to strengthen red flag and extreme risk laws and ensure that those who shouldn’t have guns aren’t able to have them.
- Requires an enhanced background checks review process for 18 to 21-year-olds wanting to buy long guns.
- Invests in child and family mental health services.
- Cracks down on criminals who illegally evade federally licensed firearms dealer requirements.
Though this bill doesn't include all the gun safety measures Congress initially discussed, its included provisions will at least save lives.
All in all, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is a positive first step in working across the aisle to enact reasonable policies to keep our communities safe, once and for all.
