Senate Releases Bipartisan Gun Bill, Which Focuses on Red Flag Laws, Enhanced Background Checks

(Photo Credit Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Senators working on a bipartisan gun safety bill following a spate of recent mass shootings across the country released the bill’s text Tuesday evening.

The bill, which was drafted by 10 Republicans and 10 Democrats, focuses on red flag laws and enhanced background checks for younger gun buyers. It also focuses on closing the so-called “boyfriend loophole,” NBC News reported.

If the bill becomes law, people who attempt to buy firearms under the age of 21 might be subject to a juvenile background check.

While juvenile records are generally sealed, the text says some might be requested to look for “disqualifying” conduct for prospective gun buyers.

Additionally, states will be offered grants to enact red flag laws, whether they accept them or not.

Red flag laws, where enacted, can compel people viewed as a danger to themselves or to others to refrain from buying firearms or to surrender guns they already own.

Everytown for Gun Safety explains the he boyfriend loophole:

Federal law prohibits domestic abusers from having guns, but only if they have been married to, have lived with, or have a child with the victim. It does not otherwise prohibit abusive dating partners from having guns. This gap in the law is known as the “boyfriend loophole” and has become increasingly deadly.

In a statement, senators said the changes in the bill will keep people safe from gun violence. The statement reads,

Today, we finalized bipartisan, commonsense legislation to protect America’s children, keep our schools safe, and reduce the threat of violence across our country. Our legislation will save lives and will not infringe on any law-abiding American’s Second Amendment rights. We look forward to earning broad, bipartisan support and passing our commonsense legislation into law.

The statement was signed by Sens. Chris Murphy, (D_CT), John Cornyn, (R-TX), Kyrsten Sinema, (D-AZ) and Thom Tillis (R-NC).

The full text is 90 pages long and can be read here.

A procedural vote on the bill is expected Tuesday night.