U.S. Senators reach new bipartisan gun legislation deal

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A group of 20 senators on both sides of the aisle announced an agreement was reached on new laws meant to address the country’s ongoing gun violence.

The proposal would be the first major gun law to make it through Congress in years.

There have been more than 250 mass shootings in the United States this year alone, according to the gun violence archive.

After the recent devastating mass shooting in Uvalde Texas, 20 bipartisan senators announced today an agreement to address the ongoing and increasing gun violence in the country.

“I am so grateful for the leadership of senators Chris Murphy and John Cornan for Senator Dick Bloomenthaw and Lindsey Graham. Republican senators Tillis and Cornan were critical to the negotiations here,” Sen. Chris Coons of Deleware said.

The agreement would provide incentives for the creation of so-called “Red Flag Laws” to remove firearms from people that are a danger to themselves or others.

The agreement would also strengthen federal background checks, increased funding for mental health, and increase money for school safety among other things. Gun owners under 21 would also be subject to an investigative period to review juvenile and mental health records. The agreement does not address restricting access to assault-style weapons to people under 21.

“Since the shooting in Texas the government has done only one thing, they have gone on recess,” Coons said.

People across the country gathered at the march for our lives event on Saturday, expressing outrage at the Senate’s lack of action.

While there is a long way to go, many believe this is a step in the right direction.

“There’s still a long way to go and a lot of work to be done but I am encouraged by today’s announcement,” Coons said.