US Senate approves first major gun legislation in 30 years

The US Senate has approved the most major piece of gun legislation in over 30 years, requiring more controls on teenage purchasers and incentivising authorities to take away firearms from those deemed a threat. The bill was approved by the Senate with the uncommon bipartisan support of 15 Republicans and Democrats. Before President Joe Biden signs it into law, the lower house still needs to approve it. A vote is anticipated soon in the House of Representatives, which is controlled by Democrats. Despite the fact that it fell far short of his goals, the president urged a swift vote "on this bipartisan bill." Both pro-gun activists and the majority of Democrats favour much stricter gun control laws. After 28 years of inaction, bipartisan members of Congress finally responded to the cries of American families and passed legislation to combat the epidemic of gun violence in our neighbourhoods, according to President Biden. The bill was passed in response to 31-person fatal mass shootings that occurred last month at a Buffalo, New York, supermarket and a Uvalde, Texas, elementary school. The changes consist of:

Stricter background checks for purchasers under 21
Federal funding of $15 billion (£12.2 billion) for mental health initiatives and strengthening school security
Financial support to persuade states to enact "red flag" laws to confiscate weapons from those deemed a threat by prohibiting the sale of firearms to people found guilty of abusing unmarried intimate partners, the so-called "boyfriend loophole" will be closed.
Assault weapons, which were used in the mass killings in Texas and Buffalo, have been banned, or at least the age at which they may be purchased has been raised, under President Biden's leadership.
Two days after turning 18, the Texas shooting gunman is thought to have bought two semi-automatic firearms.

US Senate approves first major gun legislation in 30 years

Latest

Related Articles