Categories: Gun Control

Gun control: Halting Steps

NO! The Assault Weapons Ban that expired 18 years ago has still not been renewed… but the bill which recently cleared the Senate does close some of the most egregious gun control loopholes.

The Boyfriend Loophole

The new bill bars anyone convicted of a domestic violence crime against someone they have a “continuing serious relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with” from having a gun.  Previous statutes didn’t include intimate partners who may not live together, be married or share children.

The bill allows those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence to restore their gun rights after five years if they have committed no other crimes.

The Charleston Loophole

Dealers have always been required conduct background check, but allowed to proceed with the sale of the buyer is not declined within three days.  The bill extends the background check waiting period for up to an additional 7 days.

The Gun Show Loophole

The bill also targets individuals who sell guns as primary sources of income but have previously evaded registering as Federally Licensed Firearm Dealers, requiring them to now administer background checks before they sell a gun.

The bill also:

  • Targets ‘straw buyers’ purchasing for individuals not allowed to buy for themselves.
  • Creates new federal statutes against gun trafficking.
  • Requires a more thorough reviews of buyers aged 18-21.
  • Increases funding for mental health programs and school security.

Fifteen Republican Senators voted for the bill (those retiring asterisked):

  • McConnell (KY)
  • Blunt (MO)*
  • Burr (NC)*
  • Capito (WV)
  • Cassidy (LA)
  • Collins (ME)
  • Cornyn (TX)
  • Ernst (IA)
  • Graham (SC)
  • Murkowski (AK)
  • Portman (OH)*
  • Romney (UT
  • Tillis (NC)
  • Toomey (PA)*
  • Toomey (PA)*
Antonio Ramblés

I've been traveling to and within Mexico since 1976 and publishing fiction since 2006.

Recent Posts

Dozing Giant: Mexico’s U.S. citizens

Former U.S. House Speaker Tip O’Neill famously said “All politics are local.” In Mexico, many…

4 years ago

Latino art as activism

Juan Felipe Herrera was America’s first Latino Poet Laureate (2015-17), and is the author of…

4 years ago

Pro-birthers vs. Pro-Lifers

Since the reversal of Roe vs. Wade it’s become difficult to keep track of how…

4 years ago

Feathered nests

The federal government's executive branch publicly releases details about the fines it collects from employees…

4 years ago

Watered-down water policy

Water levels in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs are falling worldwide in the face of soaring…

4 years ago

The Anti-Partisans

It would be easy to conclude that American voters are now immovably committed to either…

4 years ago

This website uses cookies.