Today, Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21) released the following statement after voting for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to protect children from the rising tide of gun violence in America.

“No parent should fear for their child’s life when they go to school, the grocery store, their church, a movie theater, or anywhere else they are supposed to be safe,” said Rep. Frankel. “The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is a step forward that will help protect our children and save lives.”

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act will:

• Fund the implementation of crisis intervention orders in every state, allowing courts to temporarily take guns away from people who are threatening to kill themselves or others;
• Close the “boyfriend loophole,” banning someone from buying or owning a gun if convicted of domestic violence, with the ability to earn the right back five years later for non-repeat offenders only;
• Require enhanced background checks for gun buyers under 21, including a call to local police to see if the young person is in trouble, providing for a “cool-off” period for a person in crisis;
• Require all commercial gun sellers to register and conduct background checks, and;
• Invest $11 billion in mental health programs.

The bill passed by a vote of 234-193 in the House and now heads to the President’s desk for his signature. 

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