The first major bi-partisan gun safety bill to be passed in decades could become the law of the land this week after a crucial Senate vote where 15 Republicans joined Democrats in voting for the measure 65-34. Democrats needed at least 10 Republican votes in order to avoid a filibuster.
Arkansas Senator John Boozman and Senator Tom Cotton both voted against the measure in the Senate. Senator Tom Cotton’s office issued the following statement on the Senate gun-control bill:
“This bill won’t stop the violent shootings by deranged criminals. But it will restrict the freedoms of law-abiding Americans and put too much power in the hands of politicians and political officials. Stopping gun violence starts with more funding for police and tougher sentences for the criminals who violate gun laws—not taking away due process from law-abiding gun owners.”
The bill known as the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act includes millions of dollars for mental health, school safety, crisis intervention programs and incentives for states to include juvenile records in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.