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The Senate passed a bipartisan arms bill late Thursday night with 65 votes to 33.
The bill, initiated by Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., And John Cornin, R-Texas, comes after several recent mass shootings. The mass shooting at an elementary school in Uwalde, Texas, which killed 19 children and two teachers, was the main driver behind the two-party effort.
Sensors Mitch McConnell and John Cornin talk to reporters after a closed-door policy meeting in the Capitol, March 8, 2016 (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)
“I am proud that after weeks of hard work, the Senate passed the Two-Party Safer Communities Act, a bill I negotiated with my colleagues,” Cornin said. “Our bill will save lives while not imposing new restrictions on law-abiding gun owners.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the bill was the first major gun safety law passed since the Brady bill in 1994.
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“Tonight, the United States Senate is doing something that many thought was impossible even a few weeks ago: we are passing the first major gun security bill in nearly 30 years,” he said in a statement. “The arms safety bill we are adopting tonight can be described with three adjectives: bipartisan, common sense, life-saving.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer spoke to reporters during a press conference on January 18, 2022 (AP Photo / Amanda Andrade-Rhoades)
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The bill will provide funding to states to create programs that could keep weapons away from people who pose a danger to themselves or others, often called red flag laws. It will also improve checks on gun buyers under the age of 21, add penalties for some gun criminals, and provide funding for various health and mental health programs.
He is also working to close the so-called “boyfriend door”, which is a loophole in federal law, which means that spouses who rape domestic violence may have their gun rights taken away, but not unmarried ones.
Senator John Cornin arrives to meet with Senators Chris Murphy and Kirsten Cinema on Capitol gun violence legislation, June 15, 2022 (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)
In a statement after the bill was passed, President Biden said that after 28 years of “inaction, members of Congress from two parties came together to listen to the call of families across the country and passed legislation to tackle the scourge of gun violence in our country.” Families in Uwalde and Buffalo – and too many tragic shootings before – demanded action, and tonight we acted.
“This bipartisan legislation will help protect Americans. Children in schools and communities will be safer because of it. The House of Representatives must immediately vote on this bipartisan bill and send it to my desk.”
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All 48 Democrats and two independents voted in favor of the bill, along with 15 Republicans.
Senator Chris Murphy talks to reporters at the Capitol on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)
Republicans who joined the Democrats in voting on the bill were Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina, Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, John Corny of Thane. of Iowa, Lindsay Graham of South Carolina, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rob Portman of Ohio, Mitt Romney of Utah, Tom Tillis of North Carolina, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Todd Young of Indiana, and Roy Blunt of Missouri.
“The legislation that Senator Cornin and our colleagues have drafted defends the Second Amendment,” McConnell said in a statement. “There are no new bans, mandates or waiting periods for law-abiding citizens of all ages. What the bill contains are common sense solutions that are extremely popular with lawful gun owners, such as adding juvenile criminal records and mental health issues to the Past Review System. It also provides significant new funding for mental health in schools. “
Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee said on Twitter that the bill would undermine the constitutional right of Americans to bear arms.
“Improved funding for school security and mental health treatment is a good thing, but it is combined with giving support to the left to limit the 2nd Amendment.” Blackburn tweeted. “I voted against the gun control bill because the constitutional right of Americans to hold and carry weapons is non-negotiable.
Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, wrote on Twitter: “It’s common sense. If we want to keep our children safe, do not disarm law-abiding citizens. Instead, put criminals in jail and have cops on campus to protect our children. “
The bill is now being returned to the House. President Biden has said he intends to sign it if he is accepted.
GOP Whip House Steve Scalis, R-La., Announced early Wednesday that it would officially push its members against the bill.
“In an attempt to slowly remove the rights of law-abiding citizens from the Second Amendment, this legislation uses the wrong approach in its attempts to curb violent crime.” Scalis said in a whip notice Wednesday.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a statement saying: “On behalf of the House, we applaud the Senate for adopting its package on the prevention of gun violence in a strong bipartisan vote.
She said: “Every day, gun violence is stealing the lives and scars of communities – and this crisis requires urgent action. Although we need to do more, the Law on Two-Party Safer Communities is a step forward that will help protect our children and save lives. ”
She said the rules committee would meet “first thing” on Friday morning to present the legislation in the hall.
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“When the rules committee completes its work, we will immediately head to the floor. And we will send the bill to President Biden for signature, thanks to his leadership, “she added.
Tyler Olson of Fox News contributed to this report.
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