WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the bipartisan group of senators that has been negotiating a legislative package to reduce gun violence, released the following statement after the group announced an initial framework proposal:
"I am a gun owner. I also have two kids who grew up doing active shooter drills that would have been unimaginable when I was their age. The level of gun violence in our country is appalling and unacceptable. In addition, I refuse to accept the idea that we are so divided that we can’t make this situation better and that’s exactly why I have been part of these efforts to find a meaningful path forward to reduce gun violence. These bipartisan negotiations show that we can work together and that we can create policies that will save lives. I fully recognize that this is just a start, but progress has to begin somewhere. Let’s begin here and now," said Senator Heinrich.
The Bipartisan Gun Safety Proposal announced today includes:
Support for State Crisis Intervention Orders
Investment in Children and Family Mental Health Services
Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence
Funding for School-Based Mental Health and Supportive Services
Funding for School Safety Resources
Clarification of Definition of Federally Licensed Firearms Dealer
Telehealth Investments
Under 21 Enhanced Review Process
Penalties for Straw Purchasing
Background:
Senator Heinrich has long worked to advance and pass bipartisan policies that save lives, protect public safety, and reduce gun violence. After the October 1, 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting, in which the perpetrator used a bump stock to kill 59 people, Heinrich introduced bipartisan legislation to prohibit the sale of bump stock devices and other mechanisms which cause semi-automatic weapons to substantially increase their rate of fire, effectively operating as fully automatic weapons.
Senator Heinrich cosponsored the bipartisan Fix NICS Act, which now requires federal and state authorities to produce background check implementation plans and holds federal agencies accountable for reporting relevant criminal records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). He also led the successful call to repeal the Dickey Amendment, which had previously prevented the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from funding research on gun violence and its effects on public health.