the bipartisan safer communities act

It is a small win for American citizens the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act passed. President Biden signed the strongest gun reform bill in three decades with congressional votes 65-33 for Safer Communities. Finally, 15 Republicans joined the Democrats by signing in support of a bill that will provide the strictest gun laws through out the United States in 30 years.

Saturday, June 25, 2022 marked a monumental moment for the United States as President Biden signed the bipartisan gun legislative which was approved Thursday by the Semate.

“Tonight, after 28 years of inaction, bipartisan members of Congress came together to heed the call of families across the country and passed legislation to address the scourge of gun violence in our communities,” Mr. Biden said upon Senate passage of the legislation Thursday. “Families in Uvalde and Buffalo — and too many tragic shootings before — have demanded action. And tonight, we acted. This bipartisan legislation will help protect Americans. Kids in schools and communities will be safer because of it. The House of Representatives should promptly vote on this bipartisan bill and send it to my desk,” said President Biden. nytimes.com 

what does this mean for american citizens – stronger background checks

The new bipartisan act will now enforce the following: Enhanced background checks on anyone under the age of 21 who wants to buy a gun. Local Law enforcement will now have more time to conduct background checks on individuals 10 days up from three to make sure the individual under the age of 21 applying for a gun permit does not have a juvenile criminal record or mental illness history that would disqualify them from obtaining a weapon. If law enforcement is to find such records they will be turned over to the F.B.I. for further investigation. Democrats wanted to go further and ban anyone under the age of 21 from obtaining a semiautomatic weapon however the Republicans got their way and for now it is stronger background checks.

red flag law

The “Red Flag” rule which is if a family member or law enforcement thinks an individual who has a gun may harm themselves or anyone else they will have their gun temporarily taken away. Democrats wanted this to be a permanent situation where the gun(s) would be permantly taken away and the individual would be banned from obtaining a gun. However the Republicans viewed this as a temporary situation. The bill also allotted for billions of dollars in grants as incentive for states to start crisis intervention programs for mental illness and gun safety.

The Boyfriend loophole – gone boy

Finally the so-called “Boyfried loophole” is closed. This now limits those convicted of domestic abuse, domestic violence or those subjected to a domestic retraining order keeps guns out of those individuals hands. This includes those who are married, live in partners, or had a child with the individual this also includes other intimate partners which finally closes the “Boyfriend Loophole” which protects individuals who are just dating as well. “Democrats wanted a blanket prohibition, but in negotiations with Republicans, they agreed to allow some offenders to regain the ability to purchase a gun. If a person is a first-time offender and the crime is a violent misdemeanor, the ban would disappear five years after the end of their criminal sentence, so long as they did not commit further violent crimes. Negotiators also agreed not to make the provision retroactive, bowing to another demand by Republicans.” nytimes.com 

300 million for schools to target violence

With the billions of dollars in grants for states to start crisis centers the bill is giving 300 million over five years to help fund schools to form safety programs targeting violence which will fund security officers to beef up security in schools and also educate school personnel to interact with those with mental illness accordingly. Of course the Republicans wanted to keep the cost down as much as possible this cost would really be 13.2 billion in order to be completely effective.

tougher penalties to those purchasing and trafficking illegal guns

Tougher penalties on illegal gun purchases and trafficking also clarifying those penalties. There will be a crack down on “straw purchases” or individuals who buy guns who do not qualify to own a gun and failed to pass the background checks to own one. No current law specifically prohibits these purchases until now or illegal trafficking in the past authorities were left to go buy false statements made in connection with purchasing illegal guns. The law now states anyone who uses a firearm in connection with serious crimminal activity such as trafficking or terroism will be looking at 15 to 25 years in prison. The bill also provides resources to prevent and investigate into these purchases. 

Unfortunately the most upsetting thing that was left out was the ban of large-capacity magazines and universal background checks. The Republicans simply refused to consider any mandatory waiting period for gun sales or a license required to purchase an assault weapon. 

However, it may feel like a small win given how many lives it took to finally arrive to this pivotal moment where Americans can semi feel our government is turning the tides on the 2nd Amendment. It is not about eroding the 2nd Amendment for law abiding citizens it is about making our communities safe our schools safe for our children and going to the grocery store never to return home again a thing of the past. We the people refuse to live in fear for our lives and our childrens lives. Where this bill has made great leaps forward into the modern times there are still a few confusing parts for example why does anyone need a semi automatic weapon who is not in the military or law enforcement. 

we can not forget what brought us here

This is still a win but not worth the cost. It should not have taken this long nor so many lives to finally arrive at the door step of gun reform. Three decades and countless lives lost and families torn apart for there to be change. Let us take a moment to remember those we have lost to gun violence.