The United States senators stated on Sunday, June 12 that they had reached an agreement on a framework for imposing modest gun regulations, such as closing loopholes and boosting background checks for those aged 18 to 21.
It comes in the wake of a string of mass shootings, including a shooting at a Texas elementary school.
The bill, if passed and signed by President Joe Biden, would be the most major piece of gun legislation passed by Congress in over three decades, according to BBC News.
The group of 20 senators, led by Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and John Cornyn, R-Texas, announced yesterday that they struck a deal “to protect America’s children, keep our schools safe, and reduce the threat of violence across the country.”
The proposal falls far short of the gun safety reforms Biden has lobbied Congress to pass and is far less sweeping than the comprehensive package that advanced the House last week but garnered the immediate support of anti-gun groups and the White House.
The framework would create an enhanced review process for firearm purchasers under the age of 21, including a pause to conduct a background check.
Senators working on the proposal have focused considerable attention on the 18- to 21-year-old population, particularly those who showed signs of violence or mental health struggles as a juvenile but are able to purchase a gun at age 18 because their juvenile records are sealed.
The plan would require a background check for these purchasers, including a pause if more time is needed for investigators to dig through records.
The gunmen in recent mass shootings in Buffalo, New York; Uvalde, Texas; and Parkland, Florida, were between 18 and 19 years old.
Another significant provision of the deal includes closing the so-called “boyfriend” loophole. It would prohibit anyone convicted of abuse against a spouse or domestic partner from buying a gun, a notable victory for advocates against domestic violence.
The plan would also crack down on gun trafficking and straw purchases and create incentives for states to create “red flag” laws that would allow weapons to be temporarily taken away from people who show a risk of violence against themselves or others. And it would beef up school security and mental health care programs.
“Families are scared, and it is our duty to come together and get something done that will help restore their sense of safety and security in their communities,” according to a joint statement issued by Murphy, Cornyn and 18 other senators.
“Our plan increases needed mental health resources, improves school safety and support for students, and helps ensure dangerous criminals and those who are adjudicated as mentally ill can’t purchase weapons. Most importantly, our plan saves lives while also protecting the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans.”
Murphy praised the deal as a break in a 30-year logjam on the gun issue on Capitol Hill and a sign Republicans and Democrats can work together on the issue.
The deal still has hurdles remaining before it can get to Biden’s desk. The agreement has to be turned into legislative text and it needs to get the support of 60 senators in a floor vote.
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