WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Pat Toomey (R- PA) has been one of the main negotiators in proposed gun legislation. He said this proposed bipartisan gun reform legislation is about making communities safer while keeping the rights of law-abiding Americans.
Following the mass shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde, many gun rights advocates want Congress to ban assault rifles. However, that idea is not part of the Senate’s gun reform proposal.
“As far as the assault weapon issue goes, look there’s something on the order of 20 million firearms that meet various definitions of assault weapons that are currently owned by millions of Americans,” said Sen. Toomey. “There aren’t even 50 votes in the Senate. There isn’t even unanimity among Democrats to ban this category of very, very widely owned and widely used firearms.”
This proposal covers a lot of ground, like enhanced background checks and a waiting period for people younger than 21 years-old who want to buy a gun; closing loopholes to convicted domestic abusers so they can’t buy a guns; as well as provide new funding for mental health and school safety.
We asked the Senator if his fellow Republican Senators, outside of those who have already signed onto this proposal, are hesitant to vote for this. He said while he doesn’t like to characterize what his colleagues are thinking, he’s been in contact with them on this issue.
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