Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement on the Senate’s passage of the bipartisan gun safety bill:
“This is a historic moment. For the first time in nearly 30 years, Congress has taken meaningful action to address the scourge of gun violence. This is an important step forward that will make our communities and our families safer now and in the future.
By strengthening background checks for purchasers under the age of 21, incentivizing states to pass red flag laws, closing the boyfriend loophole, and funding mental health services, this landmark legislation will play an important role in stopping the spread of gun violence.
I am especially proud that major provisions from my gun trafficking bill were included in the final text. By making gun trafficking a federal crime, we can finally give law enforcement the tools necessary to crack down on criminal networks and stop the flood of illegal guns up the Iron Pipeline.
While we still have more to do, I am grateful to Senator Murphy, Senator Cornyn, and the entire bipartisan group that worked together to craft this package and I look forward to getting it onto President Biden’s desk as soon as possible.”