Wine Country Times

St. Helena – On June 25, Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chairman Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) released the following statement to mark one year since President Biden signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act into law.

“One year ago, President Joe Biden signed into law the most significant gun violence prevention legislation in 30 years. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act represented a strong step forward in enacting comprehensive measures to enhance public safety and protect communities from gun violence. It included provisions such as funding for state red flag laws, enhanced background checks for people under 21, closing the boyfriend loopholes, cracking down on gun traffickers, and investing in violence prevention programs. These efforts reflect a commitment to reducing gun violence and saving lives. Since being signed into law, it has already delivered over $1.5 billion to make schools safer, increase access to mental health services, and help save lives.

“While the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act marked a significant achievement, we know there is still more work to be done to effectively address gun violence in our society. Tragically, incidents of gun violence continue to devastate communities every day, causing immeasurable pain and loss. Taking on the gun violence epidemic means continued efforts to pass gun violence prevention measures, improve mental health services, and address the root causes of violence. The Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, working with House Democratic Leadership, have filed three discharge petitions to force votes on my Bipartisan Background Checks Act, Rep. Jim Clyburn’s Enhanced Background Checks Act, and Rep. Lucy McBath’s Assault Weapons legislation.

“It is crucial that we continue to work for additional measures and reforms that will comprehensively address the complex issue of gun violence. This includes supporting evidence-based violence prevention initiatives and working with stakeholders to find common ground in pursuit of safer communities.

“Today, on the one-year anniversary of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, we celebrate the positive impact of this historic law but also renew our commitment to ending gun violence. Every life lost to gun violence is a stark reminder of the urgency and responsibility we bear in creating a society where parents don’t fear sending their kids to school. Together, we can work towards a future where gun violence becomes a tragic memory of the past, replaced by a society built on compassion, prevention, and meaningful change.”

Some of the general provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act include:

• Support for State Crisis Intervention Orders: Creates $750 million for states to create and administer laws that will help keep deadly weapons out of the hands of individuals determined by a court.
• Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence by Closing the Boyfriend Loophole: Adds convicted domestic violence abusers in dating relationships to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
• Penalties for Straw Purchasing: Creates federal straw purchasing and gun trafficking criminal offenses, allowing prosecutors to target dangerous illegal gunrunners.
• Clarified Definition of Federally Licensed Firearms Dealer: Cracks down on criminals who illegally evade licensing requirements and clarifies which sellers need to register, conduct background checks, and keep appropriate records.
• Enhanced Background Checks for People Under 21: Requires an investigative period to review juvenile and mental health records, including checks with state databases and local law enforcement, for buyers under 21 years of age, creating an enhanced, longer background check of up to ten days.
• Community Violence Prevention Initiatives: Provides $250 million in funding for community-based violence prevention initiatives.

Original source can be found here