On June 2, the Judiciary House Committee passed a vote for the "Protect Our Kids Act" (H.R. 7910) as President Biden addressed the nation that same day and called for stricter gun laws in the United States.
H.R. 7910 works to adjust Title 18 of United States Code to restrain the ease of purchasing firearms in America. The bill aims to increase the age limit to purchase a firearm, prevent gun trafficking from taking place, create stricter laws on untraceable firearms and encourage improved storage practices for firearm owners. The House Committee agreed on the bill by a vote of 25 Ayes to 19 Nos. The bill was also discharged by the House Ways and Means Committee on Monday, June 6. H.R. 7910 must now be discussed and voted on by a simple majority before being passed on to the Senate.
This bill comes forward after the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, a New York Times report said. The shooting occurred on May 24 and left 19 students and two teachers dead, with an additional 17 people injured. The firearm used by the active shooter was an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle.
On June 2, Biden addressed the nation during prime time regarding the mass shooting and the need for gun control. He called for banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and noted that at minimum there must be higher age restrictions and red flag laws put in place.
“We need to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines,” Biden said in the speech. “And if we can't ban assault weapons, then we should raise the age to purchase them from 18 to 21. Strengthen background checks, enact safe storage law and red flag laws. Repeal the immunity that protects gun manufacturers from liability. Address the Mental health crisis, deepening the trauma of gun violence and as a consequence of that violence. These are rational, common-sense measures."
The U.S. Senate is now discussing gun control legislation in what Politico defines as a "make-or-break week for Senate gun talks."
The Senate is choosing not to rush gun control legislation in order to ensure they reach a consensus, a Washington Post report said. Senate Democrats are working to not rush any votes or legislation in order to persuade their Republican counterparts and create bipartisan legislature that has the ability to be passed. Due to a 60-vote filibuster rule, Senate Democrats are working to convince 10 GOP seats to vote in favor of gun reform.
