A group of US senators have announced agreement on a "commonsense, bipartisan proposal" to address gun violence following a pair of mass shootings that shocked the nation.
In a positive sign for the agreement's success, 10 Republicans have signed on to the proposal, increasing the chances that it can overcome a filibuster with a 60-vote majority. All 50 Democrats are expected to vote in favor.
The proposal includes modest gun control measures, including making juvenile records of gun buyers younger than 21 available for background checks. It would also offer funds to states who set up "red flag" laws that allow for a court to order the removal of a firearm from a person deemed to be a threat to themselves or their community.
Convicted domestic violence abusers would also be included in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, barring them from buying guns under the plan, which was announced on Sunday.
It would also crack down on "straw purchases" of guns, which is when a person buys a gun for someone who would not normally qualify for ownership, and increase the scope of individuals who would be required to receive a federal license to sell guns, meaning the individuals would have to conduct background checks.
The nine-point legislative framework includes increased funding for school safety and mental health programs.
"Families are scared, and it is our duty to come together and get something done that will help restore their sense of safety and security in their communities," the lawmakers said in a joint statement.
"Most importantly, our plan saves lives while also protecting the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans. We look forward to earning broad, bipartisan support and passing our commonsense proposal into law," they added.
The proposal is led by Sens. Chris Murphy, John Cornyn, Thom Tillis, Kyrsten Sinema, Richard Blumenthal, Roy Blunt, Cory Booker, Richard Burr, Bill Cassidy, Susan Collins, Chris Coons, Lindsey Graham, Martin Heinrich, Mark Kelly, Angus King, Joe Manchin, Rob Portman, Mitt Romney, Debbie Stabenow, and Pat Toomey.
US President Joe Biden acknowledged that the proposal falls short of the types of gun control he and many Democrats have been seeking following the shootings in Uvalde, Texas and New York state, but said it "reflects important steps in the right direction."
"With bipartisan support, there are no excuses for delay, and no reason why it should not quickly move through the Senate and the House," he said in a statement. "Each day that passes, more children are killed in this country: the sooner it comes to my desk, the sooner I can sign it, and the sooner we can use these measures to save lives."/agencies
