Reply to recent wave of mass shootings, Dom of The deputies passed a bill to raise the age to purchase semi-automatic rifles up to 21, requiring safe storage of firearms, seeking to hack down on illegal circulation of firearms.
House Passes Our Children’s Protection Act on 223-204 vote Wednesday that fell mostly on party lines. Democratic congressmen who quickly put together package earlier this month they said it would be reduce gun violence. Five Republicans Crossed over to support legislation, which would be the most important gun congressional control measure in almost two decades. However, it faces uncertainty in Senate.
Speaking on house floorrep Jerry Nadler referred to the recent elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas left 19 children and two teachers dead.
“Who can tell his voters that they stood with them and not with in gun lobby? Nadler said. – The Americans are watching. they beg us protect them and their loved ones from gun violence, who among us will answer them call?”
Nathan Howard/Getty Images
The House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Nadler, passed legislation earlier this month, considered in emergency session, on 25-19 party line vote.
Legislation creates new federal crimes for sale or production of high-capacity magazines and using “straw” buyers for gun trade. So-called “stocks”, devices used to make semi-automatic rifles. fire in quick succession would be prohibited by law. It will also ban “ghost weapons”, firearms assembled in home that law enforcement difficulty tracking.
While the score stops of a ban on semi-automatic rifles called for on gun proponents of control, it raises the age of purchase under 21. Supporters of the provision refers to the fact that the militants in recent mass shootings were minors of 21. Bill also creates fines for gunsmiths who not use proper storage or safety firearm storage facilities out of arms of minors.
During floor debate, Republicans in the House of Representatives criticized the bill, calling it unworkable and unconstitutional abuse of power.
“It can turn millions of illegal weapons in smuggling and law abidance gun owners into criminals,” Minnesota spokeswoman Michelle Fischbach said. on in floor. “[The bill] is another reminder that Democrats fundamentally disrespect for Second Amendment rights.”
Fischbach said that secure storage requirements violated the Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. Tracking requirements would also means multiple parts of same gun would need own serial number.
Saying: “It’s not about the guns, it’s about the people,” Florida Representative Kat Cammack said the bill does not address mental health issues in the country and could leave victims of domestic violence defenseless.
Legislation is facing difficulty in evenly split Senate, where Republicans have expressed some willingness to consider issue.
Texas Senator John Cornyn, Republican negotiator on gun control in Senate on Wednesday posted video of speech on status of negotiations that included some specifics. He called mental health a major factor behind mass shootings and assessment of safety in schools.
While he expressed optimism that the negotiations would lead to the passage of the bill, he pushed back against “artificial timing” for votes on any legislation.
Newsweek reached out Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for comment.
