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President Biden on Saturday signed the largest gun control bill in nearly 30 years less than 24 hours after it passed through Congress with unusual haste.
“Time is of the essence. Lives will be saved,” Biden said in an address to the nation. “From Columbine to Sandy Hook to Charleston, Orlando, Las Vegas, Parkland, El Paso, Atlanta, Buffalo, Uvalde, and for the daily shootings in the streets. How often have you heard that ‘just do something, for God’s sake, just do something’?”
“Today, we did,” he added.
The House passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Friday in a 234 -193 vote, with 14 Republicans crossing party lines just one day after the Senate passed the legislation in a 65-33 vote Thursday night.
The newly-implemented law attempts to circumvent mass shootings that have plagued the U.S. for years.
President Biden signs into law S. 2938, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act gun safety bill, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, Saturday, June 25, 2022. First lady Jill Biden looks on at right.
(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
HOUSE PASSES SWEEPING GUN CONTROL BILL AMID SERIES OF MASS SHOOTINGS
Two mass shootings occurred within a week of each other in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas, left dozens dead last month.
The Senate then launched negotiations between 10 Senate Republicans and 10 Senate Democrats to pass gun control reform and address gun violence across the U.S.
Though Republicans largely opposed the push in the House, including Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell championed the legislation and said it “will help make these horrifying incidents less likely while fully upholding the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.”
The newest law will incentivize states to pass red flag laws and expand background checks for 18- to 21-year-olds.
SENATE PASSES BIPARTISAN GUN CONTROL BILL
The Uvalde shooting, which killed 19 children ages nine to 11 and two teachers, and the Buffalo shooting, deemed a hate-crime-fueled attack that left ten dead and three wounded, were carried out by 18-year-old men.
Lawmakers have encouraged states to release previously sealed juvenile records, potentially adding several days to the waiting period before a gun purchase can be completed.
But even with the new gun control measures, it remains unclear if the latest stipulations could have prevented the two most recent mass shootings.
Both 18-year-old men legally purchased AR-15-style rifles, and existing red flag laws flagged neither individual.
Wooden crosses are placed at a memorial dedicated to the mass shooting victims at Robb Elementary School on June 3, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. Nineteen students and two teachers were killed on May 24 after an 18-year-old gunman opened fire inside the school. Wakes and funerals for the 21 victims are scheduled throughout the week.
(Alex Wong/Getty Images)
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The newest provision calling on states to release juvenile records may have helped flag Payton Gendron, the Buffalo shooter, who was evaluated for mental health concerns in 2021 but evaded any red flags.
The bill also provides funding for youth mental health programs.
“This bill doesn’t do everything I want. It includes actions I’ve long called for that will save lives,” Biden said. “I know there’s much more work to do. And I’m never going to give up.
“But this is a monumental day,” he added.
Caitlin McFall is a Fox News Digital reporter. You can reach her at [email protected] or @ctlnmcfall on Twitter.
