Thousands of students across the nation are expected to walk out of class Wednesday to protest gun violence and call for action from elected leaders. Here’s a look at the main proposals under consideration in Congress.
Bills that seek to improve current systems:
- Fix NICS: bipartisan, led by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. This proposal aims to get more agencies to comply and send data to the current background check system, known as “NICS.” The Senate may vote on this next week.
- NICS Denial Notification Act: bipartisan, led by Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa. Another fix-it plan, this requires that the FBI alert state officials when someone banned from buying a gun tries to do it anyway.
- STOP School Violence Act: bipartisan, led by several lawmakers from Florida. This four-page bill sets aside $50 million for grants to recognize and report potential school threats. The House plans to vote on this tomorrow.
- The School Safety and Mental Health Improvement Act: A Republican proposal to let schools use current federal funding to address more security and mental health needs.
Bills that change the system and propose new gun restrictions:
- Manchin-Toomey: bipartisan from Sens. Pat Toomey, R-Pa. and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. This revival of a 2013 proposal would require background checks at gun shows, for online purchases and in many person-to-person transactions. Sponsors are preparing to reintroduce it.
- Funding for state restraining orders: bipartisan, from Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Bill Nelson, D-Fla. This plan encourages states to adopt temporary restraining orders that block individuals considered a threat from buying or possessing a firearm.
- The Extreme Risk Protection Act: bipartisan, from Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. This bill goes farther than the Rubio bill, calling for the establishment of a federal gun restraining order system that could remove guns from those considered a threat.
Bills that change the system and expand gun rights:
- Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act: This House Republican proposal would allow any state concealed carry license to also be valid nationally.
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