America

What’s and what’s not in a bipartisan gun deal

June 13, 2022
Henry Club

One of the biggest factors still to be resolved in the Framework Agreement is how the law will be written. The announcement, which includes the backing of 10 Republican senators, would give the proposal enough support to overcome a Senate filibuster — but keeping it through the legislative process will be a major challenge for lawmakers two weeks before the next congressional recess. .

Still, Democrats have an ambitious goal: draft the bill and put Republicans on board before the next recess, aides tell CNN. Many details in the plan are still unresolved, according to an aide, who provided CNN with a more detailed description by Sunday of how some of the proposed provisions would work.

Here’s what lawmakers included in the outline and what they left out.

‘red flag’ law

One of the most important pieces of the framework is helping the states making and enforcing so called red flag laws, Its purpose is to keep guns out of the hands of those who pose a danger to themselves or others. The legislation would provide significant funding to help states enact new Red Flag laws, but the 19 states — and Washington, D.C. — that already have these laws, also seek funding to improve the effectiveness of their established programs. will be eligible for

Mental health and telehealth investing

The proposal includes “major investments to increase access to mental health and suicide prevention programs, and other support services available in the community, including crisis and trauma intervention and recovery.”

While members are going to be carefully messaging these provisions over the next several weeks because Democrats see them as important, they want to emphasize that most people living with mental illnesses are not violent.

Closing the so-called lover loopholes

The senators said the law would plug the so-called boyfriend loophole, which concerns whether unmarried partners could own guns if they were found guilty of violence against a dating partner.

Earlier this year, Senate negotiators involved in the Violence Against Women Act dropped the provision Due to the objections of the National Rifle Association, the Democrats suffered a major setback. But joining the framework indicates that at least 10 Republicans are willing to bow down to the nation’s biggest gun lobby on an issue where they have a long standing position.

Currently, only a person who is married, lives with or has a child with a partner who has been convicted of abusing is barred from possessing a gun. Closing the loophole would mean that anyone who was believed to be in a serious dating relationship and convicted of domestic violence would no longer be eligible to own a gun.

Improved review process for buyers under 21

The second major change to the law is rolling out a more thorough review process for people ages 18 to 21 who go to buy a gun like the AR-15. Under the background check review, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System must also contact state and local law enforcement to search for any unqualified mental health or juvenile records, according to the Democratic aide.

NICS must call the appropriate agency that decides on mental health records in each state. The NICS will have up to 3 days to conduct the search, but if concerns are raised in the initial review, it can be extended for a further seven days, which means the process may take a total of 10 days.

There is not an established waiting period as each individual review can only take anywhere from a few hours to 10 days.

Clarifying the Definition of a Federally Licensed Firearm Dealer

The language for this provision is still debated, but it would require more firearms sellers who are proven to be “engaged in the business of selling firearms” to be given notice that they are required to become a federally licensed firearms dealer. is required to register. This is important because it means those dealers will have to do background checks under federal law.

school safety resources

The legislation would address one area that Republicans have focused on in recent weeks: school safety. The lawmakers said in their release that the proposal provides funding “to help with safety measures in and around primary and secondary schools”, while also supporting “school violence prevention efforts” and training for school staff and students. .

What did the MPs leave?

extended background check

Notably, the agreement does not include a provision that would extend background checks to all firearms sales or transfers in the country. Currently, background checks are not required for the sale and transfer of guns by unlicensed and private sellers.

Democrats have long supported such a requirement, and last year House passes gun law that would expand background checks On all commercial gun sales, Democrats won a majority in both the White House and in both chambers of Congress, marking Congress’s first move on significant gun control.

assault weapons ban

A federal ban on military-style assault weapons has also been abandoned, another measure Democrats are pushing for, citing the mass shootings in recent years that involve such weapons.

Upper Minimum Age of Purchase

Additionally, the agreement does not include a change in the age at which a person is required to purchase assault-style weapons. Democrats, including West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, The chamber’s most conservative Democrats have said the age to purchase assault weapons should be raised from 18 to 21.