Gun Safety Bill Headed to US Senate

The bill has secured rare support from both ends of the aisle.

The bill has secured rare support from both ends of the aisle.

This week, the lauded gun safety bill that has been in talks since the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas successfully passed the United States House of Representatives with a 223-to-204 vote. The bill is now on its way the US Senate for deliberation, and if it is passed, it will be sent back to the House for the final decision before it can reach President Joe Biden.

As expected, the bill is set to meet heavy resistance in the Senate, with several senators already signaling their intent to filibuster. However, in a rare instance, the bill has actually secured support of high-ranking individuals on both sides of the aisle, including both Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnel. If the bill can secure enough votes from both sides to break a filibuster, it could pass by the end of the week.

The major points of the bill include, but are not limited to, crisis intervention and red flag programs, an end to the “boyfriend loophole,” required licensing for firearm dealers, thorough background checks on potential gun buyers aged 18-21, new statues against gun trafficking, and boosted budgets for mental health programs and school security.