Biden signs gun control bill

quote:

---

President Biden on Saturday signed the largest gun control bill in nearly 30 years less than 24-hours after it passed through the 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 shootings that happen every day in the streets. How many times have you heard that, ‘just do something, for God's sake just do something’?"

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 is an attempt to circumvent mass shootings that have plagued the U.S. for years.

The newest law will incentivize states to pass red flag laws and expand background checks for 18- to 21-year-olds.

---

quote:

---

Lawmakers have encouraged states to release previously sealed juvenile records, which could potentially add 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 two most recent mass shootings could have been prevented by the newest stipulations. 

The newest provision calling on states to release juvenile records may have helped to 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.

---