L AST week, a bipartisan group of United States Senators announced an agreement that could lead to the most substantial gun legislation in 30 years. Ten Republican senators crossed the aisle in support of the framework. Now, the push to draft and pass the legislation begins. President Biden welcomed the agreement, while admitting it fell short of his expectations.
The announced framework is subject to change, but presently includes federal incentives to states who pass so called “red flag” laws. These laws are designed to trigger preventative intervention if a gun owner, for example, is undergoing treatment for mental health. It does not ban assault rifles or raise the federal purchase age to 21.
