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Dear Friend,
Last week, after more than three decades of inaction, both parties finally came together to answer the nation’s calls for action on gun safety. I proudly helped pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which was signed into law by President Biden on Saturday. While it doesn’t include everything I have been pushing for, this legislation represents real, meaningful progress on gun safety that will save lives.
The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act:
- Expands background checks for people under age 21
- Better protects victims of domestic violence by closing the boyfriend loophole. Under current law, people convicted of domestic abuse can’t own a gun. That law currently only applies to people who are married to, living with or have a child with the victim.
- Cracks down on illegal straw purchases and unregistered firearms dealers
- Supports state crisis intervention orders to keep guns out of the hands of individuals determined by a court.
- Includes Anti-Violence Community Initiatives and investments in programs to expand mental health and supportive services in schools
- Expands the community behavioral health center model nationwide: Improving access to mental health services for children, youth and families and providing major investments at the Department of Health and Human Services in programs that expand provider training in mental health, support suicide prevention, crisis and trauma intervention and recovery.
I experienced gun violence in my own life growing up and lost friends to senseless gun violence. I’ve heard from countless North Texans on this issue, including Cal from Rowlett, who wrote me a letter after the El Paso massacre– he was six at the time. I read his letter on the House floor earlier this month, urging my colleagues to take action on gun safety. You can watch the speech below.
The work continues to make our communities safer, but I am proud to support this legislation and am glad President Biden swiftly signed it into law.
Sincerely,
Colin Allred
Member of Congress
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