The Senate approved the bipartisan gun safety and control bill on June 23rd (summary and text) and the House followed with its approval on June 24th. The President signed the bill into law on June 25th.
Breakdown of the Voting
The Senate vote included 65 Senators voting for the bill, 33 Senators voting in opposition, and 2 Senators not voting.
All 48 Democrats and 2 Independent Senators voted for the bill.
15 Republican Senators voted for the bill including:
33 Republican Senators voted against the bill.
2 Republican Senators did not vote:
The House approved the bill (June 24th:) by a vote of 234 Representatives voting for the bill, 193 Representatives voting in opposition, and 3 Representatives not voting.
All 220 Democrats voted for the bill.
193 Republicans voted against the bill.
14 Republicans voted for the bill including:
Maria Salazar (R-FL) Mike Turner (R-OH) Fred Upton (R-MI)
3 Republicans did not vote:
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Key Elements of the Legislation
Red Flag Laws
Creates a new $750 million fund for States to support the creation and administration of State red flag laws, or what the bipartisan group is calling "State crisis intervention orders."
Boyfriend Loophole
Adds domestic violence abusers in dating relationships within the Federal background check system (i.e., to close the so-called "boyfriend loophole"). Such persons will have the ability to be removed from the system five years after completion of a sentence, assuming that there are no additional prohibited crimes and similar offenses.
Firearms Dealer Definition
Clarifies the definition of a Federally-licensed firearms dealer to prevent efforts to evade Federal laws and regulations.
Enhanced Under-21 Background Checks
Implements an "enhanced review" process for under age 21 weapons purchases that will include juvenile and mental health records, as well as checks with State databases and local law enforcement. The Federal background check system will have up to 3 days to conduct the initial review, and up to an additional 7 days to conduct an investigation of any derogatory information (for a total of a 10 day background check process maximum period).
Straw Weapons Purchases
Creates Federal criminal offenses for straw purchases of weapons.
Violence Prevention
Provides $250 million for community-based violence prevention activities.
Community Mental Health
Expands funding for HHS/Children and Family Mental Services of the community behavioral health center model; for access to mental health and suicide prevention programs; and for other support services such as crisis and trauma intervention and recovery. Key funding items include:
$250 million for community health services.
$80 million to support primary care physicians in rapidly accessing mental health services for their patients, and $60 million over five years in primary care physician mental health care training of children and youth.
$120 million over four years to train and prepare community members and first responders in responding to individuals with mental health disorders.
$40 million over four years for post-trauma services to children and families.
$150 million for the already-planned 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline that provides 24/7 support to persons in suicide crisis or emotional distress. HHS had been preparing for an initial launch of the hotline this year.
School Improvement/Mental Health/Safety
Expands funding to improve schools generally, school safety, and mental health and supportive services. Key funding items include:
$1 billion in additional funding for school improvement programs. Core school improvement funding in the Department of Education totaled nearly $2.2 billion for FY 2022.
$240 million in HHS over four years for mental health awareness of school-aged youth, training for school personnel and other adults to detect and respond to mental health issues, and for connecting youth and families to services. Within this funding is a set-aside of $28 million for school-based trauma.
$500 million in additional funding over five years for school-based mental health services. FY 2022 appropriations in the Department of Education for this purpose totaled $56 million.
$500 million in additional funding over five years to grow and strengthen the school-based mental health workforce including counselors, social workers, and psychologists. FY 2022 appropriations in the Department of Education for this purpose totaled $55 million.
$50 million for extracurricular, after school, and summer programs, with a focus of new funding on older youth.
$300 million in additional funding for school safety measures, violence prevention, and training for personnel and students. FY 2022 appropriations specifically for school safety in the Department of Education totaled $201 million.
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More information on current Federal Gun Laws
