In a potential breakthrough toward the first significant new U.S. gun law in decades, a bipartisan group of senators on Sunday announced an agreement on a framework for a firearms safety bill with enough Republican support to advance in the narrowly divided Senate.
, the framework is far less ambitious than proposals offered by Biden and other Democrats for banning semi-automatic, assault-style rifles and high-capacity magazines or at least raising the minimum age to buy those from 18 to 21.
Republican opposition has been critical in thwarting Democratic-backed gun control proposals in Congress for decades, dating back to the 1994 passage of a ban on assault weapons that expired a decade later. The group that agreed to the framework included 10 Republicans, nine Democrats and one independent who caucuses with the Democrats.
Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said that he wanted to move a bill quickly once legislative details are worked out. 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.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Gun reform plan in U.S. Senate draws key Republican supportA bipartisan group of U.S. senators, including enough Republicans to overcome the chamber's 'filibuster' rule, on Sunday announced an agreement on a framework for potential gun safety legislation.
Read more »
Thousands to rally against gun violence in Washington, across U.S.Tens of thousands of demonstrators are expected to rally in Washington, D.C., and across the country on Saturday, calling on lawmamers to pass legislation aimed at curbing gun violence following last month's massacre at a Texas elementary school.
Read more »
Protesters rally against gun violence in Washington and across U.S.March for Our Lives, the gun safety group founded by student survivors of the 2018 massacre at a Parkland, Florida, high school, said it has planned more than 450 rallies for Saturday
Read more »