Senate clears major hurdles to pass gun safety bill
Moved the package forward to avoid chamber filibuster and set a vote for the final pass on Thursday.
Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell (left) is bipartisan Praised the gun safety law. Senator John Cornyn and three other Senators were formed as one who "makes our country safer without losing freedom." | J. Scott Applewhite / AP Photo
Thursday's Senate has taken a significant step towards a bipartisan gun safety bill, paving the way for a passing vote by the weekend.
With 65-34 votes, 15 Republicans have moved forward with all Senate Democrats.
Prior to the vote, majority leader Chuck Schumer said the Senate could pass the final bill on Thursday with the help of the Republicans. However, if any of the 100 senators object, the final passage can occur until late Friday night, temporarily delaying the planned two-week recess of the chamber.
"We passed this bill I will do it, "said Schumaer. "This is not a cure. For all the ways gun violence affects our country, it's a long postponed step in the right direction. It's important and to save lives. And it's my intention to get it done as soon as possible. "
The Gun Safety Act represents Congress's most important response to nearly 30 years of mass shootings. .. Negotiated by Senator Chris Murphy (Democrat), John Cornyn (Republican), Kyrsten Sinema (Democrat), and Thom Tillis (Republican), the package arrived about a month after the shooter was killed. increase. 19 children and 2 teachers in Uvalde, Texas.
Senate minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) said Thursday that the timing of the final passage depends on whether the Chamber of Commerce votes to fix the package. Republicans need unanimous consent to act swiftly, so they can pull out the bill if they don't get the votes they're asking for.
"At this point, there is very serious interest in at least a small amount of amendments," Thune said. Conin agreed that his "prejudice is in favor of the correction."
This bill includes a subsidy for the state to implement the so-called danger signal law. This enables the temporary confiscation of firearms from individuals who are considered a threat to themselves or others, as well as other crisis intervention programs.
In addition, the law prohibits individuals convicted of misdemeanor of domestic violence against a dating partner or a former dating partner from purchasing firearms for at least five years. Close what is known as a "loophole". Under that provision, if the individual is the first offender and has not committed violence during that period, the rights to the firearm will be reinstated after that period.
The bill also "disqualifies" individuals under the age of 21 as the FBI's national immediate criminal background check system contacts state authorities, local law enforcement agencies, and the state juvenile judicial information system. Requesting to see if you have a boy record for. To buy firearms that include mental health issues. That provision will be abolished in 10 years.
In addition, the law stipulates the purchase of firearms on behalf of individuals banned from federal crime, clarifying the registration requirements for commercial firearms dealers that "mainly" exist for profit. increase.
Finally, the bill includes new spending on school safety and mental health care. The Mental Health component of the package, led by Senator Debista Banou (D-Mich.) And Roybrandt (R-Mo.), Provides new funding for the state to invest in regional behavioral health clinics and school mental health programs. To do. .. The cost of that portion is estimated at about $ 8.5 billion, which is more than half of the package's proposed price tag.
Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell praised the package on Thursday, saying "it will make our country safer without reducing freedom."
Emphasizing the political instability of the matter, the Supreme Court ruled Thursday to invalidate New York state law limiting the ability to obtain a hidden carry-on permit.
