Gun Control Legislative Negotiations Reached in US Senate... 10 Republicans Sign Agreement

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] Amid a series of mass shootings in the United States, some Democratic and Republican senators reached a legislative agreement on gun control on the 12th (local time). The agreement focuses on promoting the implementation of the so-called 'Red Flag Law,' which prohibits firearm possession by individuals identified as dangerous, and strengthening background checks and mental health programs in schools.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and others, 20 senators, including Chris Murphy (Democrat, Connecticut) and John Cornyn (Republican, Texas), who have been negotiating gun control legislation, announced that they agreed on gun control measures that include incentives for states implementing the Red Flag Law. They stated, "Our plan saves lives while protecting the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans," and added, "We want to pass common-sense proposals into law based on broad bipartisan support."

The agreement includes promoting the Red Flag Law currently implemented in Washington DC and 19 states and encouraging other states to adopt similar laws. Additionally, juvenile criminal records can be used for background checks on firearm purchases by individuals aged 18 to 21. More funding will also be allocated to school safety and mental health programs.

Notably, 10 Republican senators who have opposed gun control also signed the agreement, drawing attention. This increases the likelihood of the bill passing in the Senate. In the evenly split Senate, at least 10 Republican votes are needed for the bill to pass. Until now, gun control bills have been passed in the Democrat-majority House but have stalled in the Senate due to Republican opposition.

The WSJ reported, "Although obstacles remain until the final legislation, this is the most comprehensive bipartisan action on gun violence since 1994."

Most Democratic senators have advocated for comprehensive measures including banning the sale of assault rifles and large-capacity magazines, but these were not included in this bipartisan agreement to secure consensus. The proposal to raise the minimum purchase age for semi-automatic rifles such as the AR-15 from 18 to 21 was also excluded. Compared to what President Joe Biden and the Democrats initially advocated, this is a modest level.

A staffer from a Republican senator's office involved in the negotiations described it as a "principled agreement" and said they would carefully review the gun-related provisions.

Recently, calls for gun control have intensified following a series of mass shootings in the U.S. On the 24th of last month, 21 people, including 19 children, were killed in a shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. Earlier that month, on the 14th, a teenager who followed white supremacist ideology indiscriminately shot Black people at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, killing 10.

President Biden stated in a press release, "Not all necessary measures have been taken, but this is an important step in the right direction and will be the most significant gun safety legislation passed by Congress in decades," urging swift passage of the bill in both the Senate and House, saying, "With bipartisan support, there is no reason to delay."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.