US President Joe Biden on Saturday signed the first major federal law limiting the use of firearms in the United States, a country where the pro-gun lobby is ultra-powerful. The law was passed following the many killings that mourned the country, but especially the last of Uvalde who killed schoolchildren and their mistress.
The American head of state signed this bipartisan bill, dealing with the safety of firearms adopted for decades in the United States. This bipartisan gun safety bill was drafted in the wake of deadly shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York, the day after it passed the House of Commons. representatives by a vote of 234 to 193.
Fourteen Republicans voted with the Democrats in favor of this measure, which is a historic vote as the Republicans are known to be pro-guns.
The House considered the bill hours after the Senate approved it by a 65-33 vote Thursday night. Fifteen Republicans, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, joined all Democrats in supporting the measure in the Upper House.
The president’s signing of the bill comes just an hour before he leaves the White House for the Group of Seven (G-7-) summit in Germany.
“God willing, this is going to save a lot of lives,” Biden told the Oval Office as he signed the bill.
Mr. Biden had voiced support for the Senate proposal earlier this month, writing in a statement that the measure would represent “the most significant gun safety legislation to pass Congress in decades.”
“Every day that passes, more children are being killed in this country: the sooner it gets to my desk, the sooner I can sign it, and the sooner we can use these measures to save lives,” he said. added.
The legislation, which was passed in record time in the aftermath of the deadly shootings in Uvale in Texas and Buffalo in New York, plans to strengthen background checks for gun buyers between the ages of 18 and 21, establishes a federal offense for people who obtain firearms through indirect purchases or trafficking, and clarifies the definition of a federally licensed firearms dealer.
The bill also provides $750 million to help states enforce so-called “Red Flag” laws, which aim to keep guns away from people considered a threat to themselves or others. other
.
