Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) voted for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, a commonsense, bipartisan proposal to protect America’s children, keep our schools safe, and reduce gun violence across our country. The bill protects victims of domestic violence by closing the boyfriend loophole, cracks down on illegal gun trafficking, strengthens background checks for people under 21, and provides funding for anti-violence community initiatives. The bill also provides critical investments to expand access to mental health services for Americans in need. Last night, the Safer Communities Act passed the Senate by a vote of 65 to 33 after 15 Republicans joined all 50 Democrats in supporting it. The bill now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.

“After decades of inaction, Congress is finally taking steps to address the gun violence epidemic in America,” said Rep. Sewell. “I applaud my Senate colleagues for coming to a bipartisan agreement on gun violence prevention legislation. This bill will take meaningful action to curb our nation’s gun violence epidemic and save lives without infringing on the rights of responsible gun owners. Notably, this bill would close the boyfriend loophole, strengthen background checks, crack down on illegal gun trafficking, and make substantial investments in our nation’s broken mental health system.” 

“While this bill is not as robust as we would have hoped, any action is better than no action at all,” continued Sewell. “I was proud to cast my vote for the Safer Communities Act and will continue to push my colleagues for more action to keep our communities safe!”

Gun violence is a national public health epidemic disproportionately affecting communities of color in urban settings. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in a new Vital Signs analysis, firearms accounted for 79% of all homicides and 53% of all suicides in 2020. Gun violence in America is responsible for more than 45,000 deaths per year, including 1,090 in Alabama alone. Every day, 30 Americans are murdered with a gun—a number that rises to more than 100 when counting suicides and accidental shootings. In addition to this daily loss of life, gun violence continues to inflict a heavy financial burden—imposing $2.8 billion in emergency room and inpatient costs on Americans each year.

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act:

• Supports 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.
• Protects 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.
• Creates Penalties for Straw Purchasing: Creates federal straw purchasing and gun trafficking criminal offenses, allowing prosecutors to target dangerous illegal gunrunners.
• Clarifies 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.
• Strengthens 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.
• Funds Anti-Violence Community Initiatives: Provides $250 million in funding for community-based violence prevention initiatives.
• Invests in Mental Health Services for Children and Families:Supports national expansion of 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 service 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.
• Increases Funding for Schools: Invests in programs to expand mental health and supportive services in schools, including early identification and intervention programs, school-based mental health and wrap-around services, improvements in school-wide learning conditions, and school safety.