Mohamed Bughrara

Ten Republican senators supported a bipartisan agreement on gun safety legislation that included Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Rob Portman of Ohio, John Cornyn of Texas, Thom Tillis and Richard Burr of North Carolina, Roy Blunt of Missouri, Mitt Romney of Utah, and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania. The support of those 10 Republican senators eliminated the possibility of a filibuster. 

Support for state crisis intervention orders, funding for school safety resources, an enhanced review process for buyers under the age of 21, closing the “boyfriend loophole,” and penalties for straw purchasing are all included in the proposal.

Moreover, the legislation is said to allocate funds to increase mental health and financial assistance in schools through massive investments in suicidal prevention efforts and the introduction of new processes for citizens to gain access to mental health.

In addition, early detection and intervention initiatives and school-based mental health services help prevent instances of mass violence.

Aside from Senator Pat Toomey, Senator Bob Casey Jr. also supported this legislation, stating that “more needs to be done to keep weapons of war off our streets.” 

Policymakers have been quick to act on the issue of gun control after a series of mass shootings, including one that killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. It is a welcome change to witness both sides of the aisle agreeing on a future bill that would draw attention to gun violence in order to keep our communities safe.