Allred Votes for Bipartisan Gun Safety Legislation

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32), today voted for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The legislation now heads to President Biden’s desk for his signature. 

“After more than three decades of inaction, this legislation represents real, meaningful progress on gun safety that will save lives,” said Allred. “I experienced gun violence in my own life growing up and I lost friends to senseless gun violence. The work continues to make our communities safer, but I am proud to support this legislation and I look forward to President Biden signing it into law.” 

Allred took to the House floor earlier this month to urge action on gun violence and to read a letter from then six-year-old Cal from Rowlett, who wrote to Allred after the mass shooting in El Paso. Watch that speech here. 

Allred strongly supports several other common-sense gun safety measures including universal background checks, red-flag laws, banning high-capacity magazines and raising the age to purchase an assault-style weapon.

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act includes:

• Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence by Closing the Boyfriend Loophole: Adds convicted domestic violence abusers in dating relationships to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
   
• Penalties for Straw Purchasing: Creates federal straw purchasing and gun trafficking criminal offenses, allowing prosecutors to target dangerous illegal gunrunners.
   
• Clarified Definition of Federally Licensed Firearms Dealer: Cracks down on criminals who illegally evade licensing requirements and clarifies which sellers need to register, conduct background checks, and keep appropriate records.
   
• Enhanced Background Checks for People Under 21: Requires an investigative period to review juvenile and mental health records, including checks with state databases and local law enforcement, for buyers under 21 years of age, creating an enhanced, longer background check of up to ten days.
   
• Support for State Crisis Intervention Orders: Creates $750 million for states to create and administer laws that will ensure deadly weapons are kept out of the hands of individuals determined by a court.
   
• Anti-Violence Community Initiatives: Provides $250 million in funding for community-based violence prevention initiatives.
   
• Investments in programs to expand mental health and supportive services in schools: Includesearly identification and intervention programs, school-based mental health and wrap-around services, improvements in school-wide learning conditions, and school safety.
   
• A national expansion of the community behavioral health center model: Improves access to mental health services for children, youth and families through the Medicaid program and CHIP; increases access to mental health services for youth and families in crisis via telehealth; and provides major investments at the Department of Health and Human Services in programs that expand provider training in mental health, support suicide prevention, crisis and trauma intervention and recovery.

Read a fact sheet on the bill from the Senate here.

###