Enhance Background Checks, Red Flag Laws, School Safety & Mental Health Investments, Closes Boyfriend Loophole

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) helped pass critical, lifesaving gun legislation — the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act —the first major federal gun safety legislation in decades. The President has now signed this critical bipartisan legislation into law.

Following the senseless gun violence in Uvalde, Laguna Woods, and Buffalo, and the scores of other mass shootings across our country, Gottheimer announced a Common Sense Strategy to combat gun violence and ensure school safety. Many of the steps Gottheimer fought for in his strategy were included in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

“There have already been more than 250 mass shootings this year — that’s more than the number of days we’ve had in the year. And 693 last year. Moms. Dads. Sons and daughters. Lives cut short. Families torn apart. Senseless violence,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Now, we’ve made effective, commonsense progress because Democrats and Republicans put country over party, came together, and came to an agreement that will help save countless lives. There’s still more progress to be made, but, after decades of inaction, this is a meaningful and strong step in the right direction.”

Provisions in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act include:

• Strengthened background checks to include juvenile and mental health records for those under 21 years of age.
• Providing investments for states to put in place and enforce red flag laws to prevent people who are domestic abusers or those with mental illness from having a weapon.
• Protections for victims of domestic violence by closing the Boyfriend Loophole.
• Investments in children and family mental health services.
• Increasing penalties for straw purchases and establishing new criminal offenses for gun trafficking. 

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