Congress passed bipartisan gun control legislation Friday in a 234 to 193 vote.
The legislation will tighten the background checks required for people under 21 years old to buy a gun and will require authorities to examine juvenile records and mental health records before allowing for gun purchases. It will also work to tighten a federal ban on gun purchases for domestic abusers.
Additionally, millions of dollars will be allocated to states for the implementation of “red flag laws,” allowing officials to confiscate weapons from people who could pose a risk for violence, and the legislation will work to advance laws against gun trafficking and second-hand gun purchases.
The legislation will then dedicate federal funding to mental health programs and school security.
The bill was first passed in the Senate Thursday evening in a 65 to 33 vote before moving to the House of Representatives. Now that it has cleared the House, it will move to President Joe Biden, who will decide whether to sign the bill into law.
Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar issued a statement after the bipartisan gun violence bill passed in the House.
“This is an important first step to save lives and stop the gun violence epidemic that has plagued our communities for far too long,” Omar said. “While these measures will provide meaningful change, this is just a start. Our work to end gun violence continues.”
This legislation comes after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a New York law on Thursday that put restrictions on concealed carry firearms for self defense. The Court ruled it was unconstitutional to require applicants to demonstrate a special need for self defense in order to have a permit for a conceal and carry gun.
The overturn of the 108-year-old gun legislation has raised concerns that this ruling could threaten other gun restrictions across the country and lead to more concealed carry weapons in public.