In the wake of a series of mass shootings across the United States, lawmakers are pushing for stronger gun control laws. The new laws aim to reduce gun violence and make it harder for criminals to obtain firearms.
The most recent gun control legislation was passed in the House of Representatives in February 2021. The bill, known as the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021, requires background checks for all gun sales, including those conducted online and at gun shows. It also closes the so-called “Charleston loophole” which allowed some people to purchase firearms without a background check if the check wasn’t completed within three days.
The bill also includes a “red flag” provision, which allows family members or law enforcement to petition a court to temporarily remove firearms from someone who is deemed to be a danger to themselves or others.
In addition to the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, several states have passed their own gun control laws. California, for example, has passed a law that requires all gun owners to store their firearms in a locked container or disable them with a trigger lock when not in use. The state also requires all gun owners to pass a safety course before they can purchase a firearm.
Other states have passed laws that limit the types of firearms that can be purchased, such as assault weapons, and require background checks for all gun purchases.
The new laws are a step in the right direction, but they are not enough to stop gun violence. To truly reduce gun violence, lawmakers must also address the underlying causes of gun violence, such as poverty, mental health issues, and access to firearms.
It is clear that more needs to be done to reduce gun violence in the United States. The new laws are a start, but they are not enough. It is up to lawmakers to continue to push for stronger gun control laws that will make it harder for criminals to obtain firearms and reduce gun violence in the United States.