The White House is watching movement in the Senate on a bipartisan measure aimed at curbing gun violence.
While on a speaking engagement in Boston Monday, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders says he has not seen the bill being proposed because it is still being written. But he says it is a start. He says he has concerns that provisions that would prevent a person from walking into a store and buying an assault weapon are not part of the package.
Senator Jack Reed says that the bill is a good first step but a lot more needs to be done:
“As the co-author of strong, bipartisan ‘red flag’ language, I am encouraged that there is consensus on the need to prevent individuals who pose a threat to themselves or others from purchasing or possessing firearms. This ‘red flag’ measure is about saving lives and that needs to be reflected as this agreement gets translated into bill text.
“State ‘red flag’ laws have proven effective in keeping guns away from individuals who have demonstrated clear warning signs of danger to themselves and others and we should be encouraging every state to adopt a red flag system, but not every mass shooting would trigger a ‘red flag’ law.
“The agreement in principle also includes new mental health investments that I have long pushed for and should be impactful if there is bipartisan consensus to actually fund them at an appropriate level.
The Senate effort includes enhanced review for gun buyers under the age of 21 and incentives for states to enact "red flag" laws, among other provisions.
Debate is expected to begin next week. There are ten Republican Senators that are on board with the current legislation. That means that there will be no filibuster.
(Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
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