Thomas Breen photo
Chris Murphy.
It’s not the full set of measures the Democrats wanted.
It’s not the full set of measures the Republicans wanted.
It is, according to the Connecticut U.S. senator who hammered out the deal, a set of measures that can save lives — and actually pass into law.
The senator is Chris Murphy. Since the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre, he has taken the lead in the moon-shot mission to pass gun-control measures in Washington.
On Sunday he and his Republican negotiating partner, U.S. John Cornyn, announced a deal on a compromise set of measures they are hoping has a chance of passing the Senate in the wake of the most recent string of deadly mass shootings. They made the announcement as part of a group of 20 signatories.
Most significantly, 10 Republican senators were part of the group signing onto the announcement of the deal. That’s how many Republican Senators are needed to pass the measure.
“Today, we are announcing a commonsense, bipartisan proposal to protect America’s children, keep our schools safe, and reduce the threat of violence across our country,” the bipartisan 20’s statement read.
“Families are scared, and it is our duty to come together and get something done that will help restore their sense of safety and security in their communities. Our plan increases needed mental health resources, improves school safety and support for students, and helps ensure dangerous criminals and those who are adjudicated as mentally ill can’t purchase weapons. Most importantly, our plan saves lives while also protecting the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans. We look forward to earning broad, bipartisan support and passing our commonsense proposal into law.”
The package of proposals does not include banning assault rifles or preventing 18-year-olds from buying them, as the Democrats had sought.
Here is what the package does include, verbatim from Sunday’s release:
Support for State Crisis Intervention Orders
● Provides resources to states and tribes to create and administer laws that help ensure deadly weapons are kept out of the hands of individuals whom a court has determined to be a significant danger to themselves or others, consistent with state and federal due process and constitutional protections.
Investment in Children and Family Mental Health Services
● National expansion of community behavioral health center model; major investments to increase access to mental health and suicide prevention programs; and other support services available in the community, including crisis and trauma intervention and recovery.
Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence
● Convicted domestic violence abusers and individuals subject to domestic violence restraining orders are included in NICS, including those who have or have had a continuing relationship of a romantic or intimate nature.
Funding for School-Based Mental Health and Supportive Services
● Invests in programs to expand mental health and supportive services in schools, including: early identification and intervention programs and school based mental health and wrap-around services.
Funding for School Safety Resources
● Invests in programs to help institute safety measures in and around primary and secondary schools, support school violence prevention efforts and provide training to school personnel and students.
Clarification of Definition of Federally Licensed Firearms Dealer
● Cracks down on criminals who illegally evade licensing requirements.
Telehealth Investments
● Invests in programs that increase access to mental and behavioral health services for youth and families in crisis via telehealth.
Under 21 Enhanced Review Process
● For buyers under 21 years of age, requires an investigative period to review juvenile and mental health records, including checks with state databases and local law enforcement.
Penalties for Straw Purchasing
● Cracks down on criminals who illegally straw purchase and traffic guns.
Here is the list of 20 senators who signed onto the statement:
Chris Murphy (D‑Conn.), John Cornyn (R‑Texas), Thom Tillis (R‑N.C.), Kyrsten Sinema (D‑Ariz.), Richard Blumenthal (D‑Conn.), Roy Blunt (R‑Mo.), Cory Booker (D- N.J.), Richard Burr (R‑N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R‑La.), Susan Collins (R‑Maine), Chris Coons (D‑Del.), Lindsey Graham (R‑S.C.), Martin Heinrich (D‑N.M.), Mark Kelly (D‑Ariz.), Angus King (I‑Maine), Joe Manchin (D‑W.Va.), Rob Portman (R‑Ohio), Mitt Romney (R‑Utah), Debbie Stabenow (D‑Mich.), and Pat Toomey (R‑Pa.).