Topline
A legislative package strengthening national gun laws passed the Democratic-controlled House Wednesday following hours of impassioned debate and testimony on Capitol Hill, but the action was largely symbolic since the proposals appear to lack enough Republican support to overcome a filibuster in the Senate.
Activists rally against gun violence, demanding action from lawmakers on Wednesday in Washington. … [+]
Key Facts
The legislation—a series of bills called the “Protecting Our Kids Act”—passed in a near-party-line 223-204 vote, with virtually all Democrats voting in favor of the package and almost every Republican voting against it.
It would raise the minimum age to buy semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21, ban high-capacity magazines and establish storage requirements for gun owners.
The legislation would also list bump stocks under the National Firearms Act, ban bump stocks for civilian use and ensure ghost guns are subject to existing federal firearm protections.
What To Watch For
The package will almost certainly be dead on arrival in the Senate, where 10 Republican votes are required to break the 60-vote filibuster threshold required to end debate. Senate Republicans, led by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), have been negotiating with Senate Democrats on a separate gun reform bill, which is expected to include much more modest measures if the two sides reach a deal. A potential point of compromise is on creating national red flag laws, allowing courts to restrict firearm access to individuals considered dangerous. President Joe Biden has said he would sign any “common sense” gun control bill that makes it to his desk.
Key Background
Gun regulation, or the lack thereof, has become the center of national political attention after two mass shootings in May. An 18-year-old gunman killed 19 children and two teachers with an AR-15 rifle on May 24 at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. One of the survivors of the shooting, 11-year-old Miah Cerrillo, provided video testimony to the House Oversight Committee Wednesday, saying she does not feel safe after the shooting and telling lawmakers “I don’t want it to happen again.” Another 18-year-old man stands accused of killing 10 people at a Buffalo, N.Y., grocery store May 14.
Further Reading
Uvalde Fourth Grader Recounts Surviving Shooting During House Hearing On Gun Violence (Forbes)
Cornyn says he’s “optimistic” there are “60 plus” votes for gun legislation (CBS News)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/06/08/house-passes-sweeping-gun-control-measures-but-senate-republicans-will-spike-plan/