The group that agreed to the framework included 10 Republicans,nine Democrats and one independent who caucuses with the Democrats.
The United States has the highest rate of firearms deaths among the world’s wealthy nations. But it is a country where many cherish gun rights and its Constitution’s Second Amendment protects the right to “keep and bear arms”.
With 10 Republicans signalling support,that would be sufficient to overcome the Senate’s “filibuster” rule,which requires that 60 of the 100 senators agree to advance most legislation. Republicans opposed to the plan are expected to mount procedural hurdles in a bid to block it.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell stopped short of embracing the framework.
“I am glad Senators Cornyn and Murphy are continuing to make headway in their discussions,” McConnell said in a statement,adding that he hoped the talks make progress on “key issues like mental health and school safety” in a way that “respects the Second Amendment”.
Biden welcomed Sunday’s agreement.
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“It does not do everything that I think is needed,but it reflects important steps in the right direction,and would be the most significant gun safety legislation to pass Congress in decades,” Biden said in a statement. “With bipartisan support,there are no excuses for delay,and no reason why it should not quickly move through the Senate and the House.”
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last week expressed confidence in the Senate negotiators despite her desire for more-stringent gun restrictions.
Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said that he wanted to move a bill quickly once legislative details are worked out.
The deal,cobbled together following weeks of intensive negotiations,would provide federal funding to encourage states to adopt “red flag” laws keeping guns out of the hands of those determined by courts to be a significant danger to themselves or others.
Congress would provide more funding to expand mental health programs including ones run in schools,and would crack down on those who evade gun licensing requirements or illegally buy guns on behalf of others - transactions known as “straw purchases.”
The plan also would require new government checks on those under age 21 who try to buy weapons so that juvenile mental health records can be reviewed,along with checks with state and local law enforcement agencies.
“We’re grateful to the bipartisan group of senators that worked on this compromise. Thank you for finding common ground that saves lives,” said David Hogg,a survivor of a 2018 Florida high school shooting and co-founder of the group that organised Saturday’s rallies.
Hogg added that even more is needed including requiring background checks for every gun purchase nationwide,saying the bill “should be the beginning and not the end of Congress’ work”.
Reuters
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