S. 2938, the “Bipartisan Safer Communities Act,” would provide more than $4.6 billion in funding through 2026 to address gun violence and mental health. $2.1 billion would be allocated to the Department of Education to support school-based mental-health services, and $990 million would be earmarked for Health and Human Services. $1.6 billion would be allocated to support school security and community violence intervention, and to improve background-check systems. This bill would also implement extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), also known as red flag laws, and expand background checks for firearm purchases.
The Senate passed S. 2938 on June 23, 2022 by a vote of 65 to 33 (Roll Call 242). We have assigned pluses to the nays because increased spending and red flag laws are a direct violation of the U.S. Constitution, especially the Second Amendment-protected right to keep and bear arms, and this is one step closer to a disarmed America. Also, Congress is failing to address its fiscally irresponsible spending habits, which are far outside of Congress’ constitutional limits.
