US senators reach bipartisan agreement on gun control

A bipartisan group of 20 US senators, 10 Republicans and 10 Democrats, led by Chris Murphy, affiliated with the ruling party, unveiled this Sunday the general rules of an agreement to reform the country's laws related to the right to acquire and bear arms. local media report. The reform, which is already considered the greatest advance in this area, is the result of several weeks of negotiations caused by the deadly shootings in Buffalo (New York), and Uvalde (Texas).

"Today we are announcing a proposal […] to protect America's children, keep our schools safe, and reduce the threat of violence across the country," reads a joint statement. "Families are scared, and it is our duty to come together and get something to help restore their sense of safety," the coalition said.

The plan should encourage states to pass so-called "red flag" laws, which will authorize law enforcement to request the temporary removal of firearms from anyone who poses a threat to themselves or society. In addition, it is planned to provide additional resources to local authorities in order to improve mental health services and strengthen security measures in schools.

The document also clarifies who can be a federally licensed firearms dealer and includes new mechanisms to combat criminals who illegally buy and traffic guns and rifles.

In addition, the new legislation would expand background checks for gun buyers under the age of 21, requiring an investigation period to review various records, including data on their mental health. Offenders linked to domestic violence cases would now also be included in the US National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

"Most importantly, our plan saves lives while protecting the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans," the senators declared, hoping to "garner broad bipartisan support."

If approved, the plan will become one of the most important gun laws in almost three decades, although the measures agreed to are a far cry from what Democrats have proposed in the wake of the recent massacres and from what the US president .USA, Joe Biden, has defended.

"I want to thank Senator Chris Murphy and members of his bipartisan caucus […] for their tireless work crafting this proposal. Obviously, it doesn't do everything that I think is necessary, but it reflects important steps in the right direction," declared the president.