After three decades of gridlock, Pres. Joe Biden signed the first federal gun law reforms on Saturday, June 25, which bipartisan lawmakers put together in the aftermath of the Uvalde massacre and the Buffalo mass shooting in May that took the lives of nearly 30 people.
The legislation passed the Senate on Thursday night with a vote of 65 to 33. On the other hand, the House signed the bill Friday with a vote of 234-193.
In his statement, Biden thanked the lawmakers who worked on getting this legislation done and acknowledged the families who have lost their loved ones due to senseless acts of gun violence.
"While this bill doesn't do everything I want, it does include actions I've long called for that are going to save lives," the President said.
Along with the expansion of background checks for those under 21 years old, the law will allow a $750-million investment into programs that will address mental health and red flags. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act has also addressed a loophole in laws on domestic violence in that any person convicted of domestic violence crime will now be banned from buying a gun.
"We're Very Relieved"
Parkland dad Tom Hoyer, who lost a son in the 2018 mass shooting, told NBC 6 that they are relieved that something has finally been done. Ever since that tragedy, Hoyer said that he felt obligated to ensure there would be no more senseless killings. He has been advocating for gun law reforms for nearly five years.
Hollywood actor Matthew McConaughey, a father of three and a native of Uvalde, said this is a first step in the right direction. He believes this will save many innocent lives, encourage responsible gun ownership and reduce gun violence in America.
However, in his piece on the Austin American Stateman, McConaughey also said that even with the new gun law reforms, his countrymen should not "wait on a piece of legislation" to fix what ails their society. He urged best parenting, mentorship, and involvement so that people could build healthier communities.
Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Lacks Restrictions Against Mass Shooting
Democrat Sen. Chris Murphy, who negotiated the compromise with the Senate Republicans to get this bill passed, said that the gun law reforms do not cover everything the public wants, especially stricter restrictions against mass shootings such as a ban on assault rifles.
However, he said that the changes in place will still save many lives and won't violate the Constitutional rights of gun owners that the Republicans want to uphold.
Gun control organizations believe the law has been long-overdue in ending the public health crisis of gun violence. The National Rifle Association, however, said that the law isn't the answer to stopping the violence. They believe these reforms will open more legal issues that will encroach on the Second Amendment rights of gun owners.
