Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) today voted to send the most significant gun safety legislation in nearly thirty years to President Joe Biden’s desk. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is a common sense, bipartisan proposal to protect America’s children, keep schools safe, and reduce the threat of violence across the United States. 

“I am constantly hearing from constituents of all ages and walks of life who are demanding action to reduce gun violence,” said Rep. Scanlon. “With today’s passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, we answer their calls and reject the twisted theory that the American people must be sacrificial lambs to a ‘guns everywhere’ ideology. This bill is a minimal first step to protect our children, keep our schools safe, and reduce the threat of violence across the nation. And we know it cannot be our last. We need to enact and enforce laws that protect the rights of all Americans to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness — free from gun violence.”

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act takes an important step forward to save lives with:

• 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.

Find a fact sheet here. 

Find the full bill text here.

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