As the Democratic-controlled House moves to address gun violence, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she’s planning to bring forward next week legislation to ban military-style assault weapons.
Last year the House passed legislation to strengthen background checks, but it’s stalled in the Senate despite Democrats insisting it will save more lives than any of the initiatives they have.
Speaking at a rally against gun violence in San Francisco, Pelosi said that as soon as the House addresses several pieces of legislation, such as the package the House Judiciary Committee will mark up on Thursday, it will have a hearing and mark up the assault weapon ban.
Known as the “Protecting our Kids Act,” the package being considered by the Judiciary Committee would likely pass the House, but it’s not expected to overcome a Republican-led filibuster in the Senate.
Pelosi stressed that they’re trying to curb mass shootings across the country with every means available and – as part of the package of potential changes – senators are also looking at strengthening state laws, known as red flag laws, allowing authorities to take away weapons from individuals deemed a risk.
Unlike the House Judiciary Committee’s bill, however, the Senate’s discussions revolve around less restrictive gun measures like strengthening background checks and incentivizing mental health initiatives.
Among the bills the House is expected to take up is the bill by Democratic Rep. Lucy McBath of Georgia, whose son was shot and killed in 2012.
The bill envisages an Amber Alert-style notification system for when active shootings happen and would offer a possibility for the family members and law enforcement to obtain an extreme risk protection order, temporarily removing access to firearms for individuals who are deemed a danger to themselves or to others.
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