In response to rising concerns about gun violence, President Joe Biden signed into law the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act on June 25, 2022. This bill was a significant piece of gun safety legislation and aimed to address several aspects of gun violence prevention in the United States.Here are the key provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act:
Enhanced Background Checks for Gun Buyers Under 21: The law expands background checks for individuals between the ages of 18 and 21 to include a more thorough review of juvenile and mental health records.Closing the “Boyfriend Loophole”: It prohibits people convicted of domestic violence crimes from purchasing firearms if they have been involved in a romantic or intimate relationship with the victim, closing a loophole that previously only applied to spouses.Red Flag Laws and Mental Health Support: The law encourages states to implement “red flag” laws that allow law enforcement to seize firearms from individuals deemed to be a danger to themselves or others. It also provides funding for mental health services and crisis intervention programs.Funding for School Safety: The bill allocates significant funding for mental health resources and school safety initiatives, including programs to help schools better address threats and improve security measures.Improved Regulations on “Ghost Guns”: The law strengthens regulations around “ghost guns,” which are firearms that can be assembled from parts and lack serial numbers, making them difficult to trace.Crackdown on Gun Trafficking: It also takes steps to address the illegal trafficking of firearms across state lines.
