January 1, House Passes Sweeping Gun Control Bill

The House of Representatives voted 234-193 to pass the most sweeping gun control legislation in nearly 30 years on Friday.

The “Bipartisan Safer Communities Act” is now headed to President Joe Biden’s desk, where it will likely become law. The bill includes enhanced background checks, increased mental health and school safety funding, incentives for states to implement “red flag” laws, and limits the so-called “boyfriend loophole,” preventing domestic abusers from purchasing guns regardless of marital status.

“As I say to members all the time with legislation — do not judge it for what isn’t in it, but respect it for what is. And there’s much to be respected in this legislation,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said ahead of the vote.

“To those who lacked the courage to join in this work, I say your political survival is insignificant compared to the survival of our children,” she added.

While 14 House Republicans joined Democrats in voting in favor of the bill, many opposed the measure, including Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).

“We must not have knee-jerk reactions in how the federal government approaches red flag laws, where Congress strong-arms states into passing laws that may violate the Second Amendment and deprive citizens their right to due process,” McCarthy told The Federalist earlier this week.