Members of the Democratic and Republican parties in the US Senate on Tuesday drafted a bill that would impose limited restrictions on gun ownership.
The reform step is unprecedented in decades, although it falls short of President Joe Biden’s minimum requirements in this area.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “This bipartisan text is progress and will save lives, although it’s not exactly what we wanted … this legislation is absolutely necessary.”
In a tweet, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said “this is the most important law against gun violence in nearly 30 years,” adding that the provision would “save thousands of lives.”
In particular, Murphy said the bill provides support for state-by-state laws that allow authorities to confiscate from anyone in their possession a firearm they consider dangerous.
The text also introduces mandatory background checks for every young person between the ages of 18 and 21 who wishes to purchase a firearm.
The bill also provides for a number of measures to combat the illegal circulation of firearms.
This text is the fruit of an initiative following a massacre that killed 21 people, including 19 children who were shot dead by a young man who stormed their school in Yuvaldi, Texas, in late May.
Source: AFP.