Senate passes bipartisan gun legislation, sending measure to House

The Senate passed a bipartisan gun reform bill on Thursday in the wake of a slew of mass shootings in recent months, including the death of 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas in late May.

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act — negotiated by a group of senators led by Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Chris Murphy (R-CT) — looks to incentivize states to implement red flag laws. The proposal would make it easier for law enforcement to confiscate a firearm and block the purchase of a gun if an individual is deemed to be a danger to themselves or others, tighten background checks, close the so-called “boyfriend loophole” by tightening background checks on gun purchases on those convicted of domestic violence or certain crimes as minors, and provide money for trauma support, school safety and mental health programs.

The legislation, passed 65-33, also includes language to strengthen background checks on individuals looking to purchase a gun that is under the age of 21 and cracks down on straw purchases by implementing stronger penalties.