While the gun control bill is aimed at the regulation of firearms, the Supreme Court’s judgment expands the right of American citizens to bear guns in public places by striking down a century-old New York state law.
On Thursday, the gun control bill was passed in the US Senate by 65 votes to 33. In the bipartisan deal, 15 Republicans supported the bill.
Although the bill is regarded as modest by many, it is to be the first major law in the last 3 decades aimed at gun control in the United States. The bill’s provisions include ‘red flag’ laws forbidding arm-bearing by those deemed dangerous and having juvenile criminal records.
The bill was passed amid huge backlashes and protests after the recent mass shootings in Robb Elementary School, Texas, and a supermarket in Buffalo, New York. 31 people, including 19 children, died in these shootings.
President Joe Biden said, “Families in Uvalde and Buffalo, and too many tragic shootings before, have demanded action. And tonight, we acted.”
The bill will further be passed in the House of Representatives before getting signed by President. Republicans have stated that they will be opposing the bill in the House of Representatives, but their opposition won’t matter much since Democrats have a majority in the House.
What’s in the Bill
- The bill provides ‘red flag’ laws that give states the authority to confiscate the guns of those deemed as dangerous.
- The bill denies the permission of purchasing firearms to those who are convicted of abusing their partners.
- The bill restricts juveniles with a criminal record from bearing arms. Further, it allows states to add criminal records of juveniles to the national background check database.
- The bill provides federal funding of 15 billion dollars for school security upgrades and mental health programs.
Supreme Court Judgement
While the bill is passed to control guns, a Supreme Court judgment on Thursday struck down a century-old New York state law limiting carrying guns in public places. The top court ruled that the law undermines the right of American citizens to ‘keep and bear arms, provided by the US Constitution’s Second Amendment.
The passing of the bill and the judgment by the Supreme Court shows how much the country is divided on the gun control issue. Democrats wanted to include in the bill a complete ban on the sale of assault rifles to civilians but Republicans remain adherent to gun rights.Â
The gun safety group March For Our Lives said this is their first victory in the long battle against gun violence. They said this is the first step and a lot more needs to be done to curb gun violence in the United States.
On the other hand, National Rifle Association(NRA), disagreed with the bill and said that it is a violation of the Second Amendment and not a compatible solution to gun violence.
Source- Reuters
