President Joe Biden Signs Bipartisan Gun Safety Bill Into Law

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President Joe Biden signed the gun safety bill into law on June 25, 2022 (Credit: Whitehouse.gov/Twitter)

President Joe Biden signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act into law on June 25, 2022. The legislation aims to stop dangerous people from obtaining firearms and to provide much-needed funds to improve the nation's mental health system. It is the most significant gun control regulation approved by the US Congress since the now-expired Federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994.

The law addresses several areas of concern, including the "boyfriend loophole." Under current federal law, those convicted of domestic violence are prohibited from purchasing a firearm only if they are living with, married to, or have a child with their partner. The new provision will prevent a person found guilty of abusing a current or former dating partner from buying a gun. It also calls for more in-depth background checks on gun buyers between the ages of 18 and 21.

States will also receive funding to create crisis intervention programs. The "red flag" law will enable law enforcement officers to petition the court to confiscate guns from individuals believed to be a threat to themselves or others. An additional $15 billion will be spent on improving mental health services and increasing security in schools.

The legislation falls short of the stringent gun control measures — such as assault weapon bans and magazine capacity restrictions — President Biden had hoped for. But both lawmakers and gun safety advocates agree that the bipartisan agreement is a step in the right direction toward saving innocent lives.

Resources: Whitehouse.gov, CNN.com, politico.com, NPR.com, Independent.Co.UK

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68 Comments
  • suriya
    suriyaabout 2 years
    But thing is people…stay strong, don’t ever get scared.Its okay to get scared but just know that if anything happens for every 1 bead person there’s a ga-zillion good people!😁
    • cabingirl10
      cabingirl10about 2 years
      Thank God for this, we needed this change, but I know people think this isn't huge, but I do, and it will help while we keep putting 1 foot in front of the other.✌❤
      • chin9863
        chin9863almost 2 years
        Its not huge its tiny but its still something but there can and have to be done more if we wanna ensure safety and quickly before more people loose lives unfairly !!
      • lightning272
        lightning272about 2 years
        Why won't Biden make guns illegal everywhere? Guns may help the army but not the citizens. Guns just cause harm.
      • prettydolphin1
        prettydolphin1about 2 years
        Great job Biden! So happy! #joebiden
        • soalardog
          soalardogabout 2 years
          iheartpuppies is correct they can illegally buy guns.(great thinking btw)
          • iheartpuppies
            iheartpuppiesabout 2 years
            I don't know how I like this. It may stop people, but can't they just illegally buy guns off the streat?
            • sophiagrace12
              sophiagrace12about 2 years
              I am so happy that this has changed. I wish it could've changed sooner. It is very important that we fight to make change for the better. I agree with many others, my school should've talked about it so that we can learn and help the change. Hopefully, the safety law changes things. Stay safe and talk about it. Like if you agree and follow.
              • hayden2011
                hayden2011about 2 years
                A lot of this drama in the law is cleared but 1 big debate is still up ,the biggest one, is cereal a soup?
                • lola_1234
                  lola_1234about 2 years
                  Don’t know why they didn’t do this sooner, and it was heart breaking and kind of scary when the Texas shooting happened because I live in Texas. It was a big deal but I am very unhappy my school didn’t talk about it because you need to talk about what’s happening and why it happens and school would be a great place to talk about that kind of thing. Stay safe out there!❤️
                  • chin9863
                    chin9863almost 2 years
                    Thankyou for sharing thats true stay safe aswell
                    • iheartpuppies
                      iheartpuppiesabout 2 years
                      That shooting was scary, and I live nowere near texas. I can't imagine how hard that is on you!
                    • adroit_avimimus
                      adroit_avimimusabout 2 years
                      Finally something has been done... Although for some people it means nothing, I'm glad more serious measures are being taken