Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) voted for bipartisan legislation that takes historic steps to combat gun violence and protect our communities and children. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act will help save lives by keeping weapons out of dangerous hands, strengthening mental health services, and bolstering school safety. This is the first major gun violence prevention package passed by Congress in nearly three decades and will now head to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

“Today, we passed our nation’s first major gun violence prevention bill in nearly three decades,” said DelBene. “I have heard from many constituents who are angry and heartbroken by this gun violence epidemic, which continues to take innocent lives and devastate families and communities across the country. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act will implement commonsense measures to curb the violence and keep weapons away from those who pose a danger to themselves and others.”

Gun violence in America is responsible for more than 45,000 deaths per year, including 864 a year in Washington. Communities across the nation have been torn apart by nearly 300 mass shootings in this year alone.

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act will implement commonsense, bipartisan measures to protect America’s children, keep our communities safe, and curb gun violence across our country, including:

• Support for State Crisis Intervention Orders: Incentivizing states to implement extreme risk protection order laws to keep weapons out of the hands of individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others.
• Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence: Closing the “Boyfriend Loophole” by adding convicted abusers to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
• Cracking Down on Gun Trafficking and Straw Purchases: Preventing dangerous individuals from illegally evading background checks by establishing new federal criminal offenses that cover straw purchasing and trafficking.
• Enhanced Background Checks for Buyers Under 21: Requiring longer, enhanced background checks of up to ten days for gun buyers under 21 years of age.
• Anti-Violence Community Initiatives: Providing $250 million in funding for community-based violence prevention initiatives.
• Child and Family Mental Health Services: Improving access to mental health services for children, youth and families through Medicaid, CHIP and other programs.
• Investments in School Safety: Expanding mental health and supportive services in schools, including early identification and intervention programs.

“Over and over, House Democrats have voted for bold and comprehensive action to combat gun violence,” continued DelBene. “The passage of this package is a key step forward, but we must continue to do more to protect our communities and children. I remain committed to fighting for additional gun violence prevention legislation that will help end this crisis.”

A summary of the legislation can be found here.