What is Senate's gun reform deal? | The Sun

FOR years, Americans have been calling upon members of Congress to implement new gun control laws following countless deadly mass shootings.

On March 14, 2023, President Joe Biden will give a speech about the gun violence epidemic and is expected to sign an executive order regarding gun control.  

What is Senate's gun reform deal?

Previously, on June 12, 2022, a bipartisan group of senators reached an agreement on new gun safety legislation.

The breakthrough proposal included the encouragement of "red flag" laws as well as the enhancement of background checks on gun buyers.

“Today, we are announcing a commonsense, bipartisan proposal to protect America’s children, keep our schools safe, and reduce the threat of violence across our country," the group said in a statement, via NBC News.

 "Families are scared, and it is our duty to come together and get something done that will help restore their sense of safety and security in their communities."

Sen. Chris Murphy and Sen. John Cornyn added that the new measures "won’t affect the gun rights of law-abiding Americans," according to NBC News.

“Our plan increases needed mental health resources, improves school safety and support for students, and helps ensure dangerous criminals and those who are adjudicated as mentally ill can’t purchase weapons,” the statement continues.

“Most importantly, our plan saves lives while also protecting the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans. We look forward to earning broad, bipartisan support and passing our commonsense proposal into law.”

The legislation followed several mass shootings in 2022 alone, including the school shooting at Robb Elementary that took the lives of 19 students and two teachers, as well as the deadly Tops Supermarket shooting in Buffalo, New York, that took the lives of 10 people.

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What are "red flag" laws?

Red flag laws have been a controversial topic over the years, with many arguing that they are a violation of the second amendment.

Essentially, red flag laws allow police, family members, coworkers, and others to petition a state court to keep firearms away from people deemed a risk to themselves or others.

Currently, 19 states and Washington D.C. have red flag laws on the books, and the deal would provide other states with more resources to implement them.

NBC News notes that the agreement would also create a more rigorous process for background checks on people between 18 and 21 years old.

What has President Joe Biden said about gun reform?

The Senate's proposal in June 2022, came just one day after thousands of Americans protested across the country in favor of stricter gun laws.

Since the deal was announced, it has received support from many, including President Joe Biden.

"I want to thank Senator Chris Murphy and the bipartisan group for their gun safety proposal. It does not do everything that I think is needed, but it reflects important steps in the right direction," Biden wrote in a tweet.

"With bipartisan support, there are no excuses for delay. Let’s get this done."

Biden is a known advocate for gun control and has previously called upon members of Congress to act on gun reform.

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Since the start of 2023, there have been over 100 mass shootings, and the president is expected to give a speech about the epidemic at 3.45pm EST on Tuesday, March 14, at Monterey Park, California, where 11 people were gunned down in January.

He will be signing a new measure that "would mean fewer guns will be sold without background checks, and therefore fewer guns will end up in the hands of felons and domestic abusers," the White House said, via Barron's.

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