Congress passes a landmark gun control package

[SYFROYH]

There is some good stuff here that will save lives.

What’s in the bipartisan gun control bill
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2022/6/23/23180893/senate-gun-control-bipartisan-bill-2022-pass

The bill would allocate $750 million to supporting states in implementing extreme risk laws, or “red flag laws,” that temporarily prevent people who have been found by a court to pose a risk to themselves or others from obtaining a gun. Currently, 19 states and Washington, DC, have red flag laws. Most of these states are controlled by Democrats, with the exception of Florida and Indiana.
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The bill would also close what’s called the “boyfriend loophole.” Under current federal law, only those who are convicted and are living with their partner, married to their partner, or have a child with their partner are barred from buying a gun.
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Gun buyers under the age of 21 would face enhanced background checks under the bill. They would be subject to an elongated, three-day initial review process of juvenile and mental health records, including checks with state databases and local law enforcement. If that initial review process turns up anything of concern, the buyer would have to undergo an additional review process spanning up to 10 days. The bill also provides additional funding to federal and local law enforcement to carry out those background checks and keep accurate criminal and mental health records.
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One other thing the measure would do is clarify and expand the definition of a “federally licensed firearms dealer.” That’s important because current federal law only requires that licensed gun dealers conduct background checks when someone attempts to buy a gun. However, unlicensed sellers, such as people who sell guns online or at gun shows, don’t have to conduct background checks.
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Finally, the package creates new federal criminal offenses for interstate gun trafficking and making “straw purchases,” or when someone buys a gun on behalf of another person but tells the seller they’ll be the owner. Though straw purchases are currently illegal under federal law, the new offense categories will give prosecutors more tools to target criminals.

[AndyS]

1. There is some good here, quite a lot of good, but

none of it addresses the root of our gun violence problem.

The easy access to guns is the issue. Until that is addressed there will be no respite from gun violence.

The best news is that Mitch McConnel, who only understands power, has recognized that there are enough of us reasonable people to out vote gun lobby $$.

The bad news is that this will take the edge off our outrage and we go back to status quo.

However there is a convergence of issues that have the potential to put the Republican party in it's place. The Jan 6 hearings, gun violence outrage and now women's rights have the potential to bring the Republican party and the gun lobby along with it to it's knees.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Those three issues are the perfect trifecta to bring the Republican party to their knees. n/t

[lunatica]

3. We need to learn how to win gleefully.

Schadenfreude rules! I still feel it about Biden winning!

[SYFROYH]

4. All of the measures mentioned reduce access to firearms.

Unless you simply want to ban guns, attacking gun violence by reducing gun access to high-risk individuals is a good strategy.

When you look at the numbers, very few gun owners commit homicides with their guns. Identifying and making it more difficult for them to access firearms (with due process) or recourse, is a good strategy.

If the above gun control measures go into effect, it will make universal background checks more likely.

[AndyS]

5. Well, yes and no.

Closing the 'Boyfriend Loophole' is a positive move. Very happy with that.

The 'expanded' BG checks for under 21 is a fig leaf and nothing more. It's a Republican dodge to say "see we did something!"

Mental health spending is a good thing on it's face but it really has very little to do with firearm violence. It's needed and will help primarily with youth suicide. Mental illness is the latest dodge after video games, movies and too many doors have all been greeted with derision.

Funding more resource officers in schools is a farce. The most stupid thing I've ever heard particularly in light of Uvalde having one who didn't show up for work and 19 heavily armed and armored 'good gus' doing what good guys with guns do: NOTHING.

As for banning guns, you know that I favor making semi auto guns and removable magazines of all types illegal to manufacture, sell, transfer or posses. If you can't defend yourself (the reason 80% of people have guns) with a .44 magnum or a .357 magnum and six rounds you have no business with a gun. Period.