House of Representatives passes legislation for gun control in US

The US House of Representatives passed two legislations aimed at regulating the purchasing of guns in the country. 

Both the gun legislation will be expanding background checks on all commercial gun sales, reported CNN. This will be the first step taken by Congress on gun control since Democrats won a majority in both houses. 

Passed in two separate votes, the House voted on HR8 and HR1446. 

Also Read: ‘Will not wait for next mass shooting’: Joe Biden urges Congress for gun reform

The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021, HR8 would expand background checks for all firearm sales or transfers in the country. At present, there are no checks required for the sale of a gun or transfer by private or unlicensed sellers. The bill was passed by 227-203 in favour.  

Democrat Jared Golden voted against the bill and eight Republicans voted in favour. 

Also Read: Representative Jared Golden: The democrat who voted against the relief bill

 The Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021, HR1446, introduced by Democratic Representative Jim Clyburn will be closing the “Charleston Loophole” which lets some licensed gun sales get through before a required check is actually done. It was passed by 218-210 votes in favour. 

Dylann Roof exploited this loophole in 2015 and killed nine people in a Church in Charleston, which was known to be a historically Black one. 

Democrats have a narrow 50-50 majority in the Senate and would need to lobby for Republican support in order to pass the bill. 

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “We’ll have the good sense to have had this bill twice and in the past when they send it over to us last time, it went into Mitch McConnell’s legislative graveyard. The legislative graveyard is over. H.R. 8 will be on the floor of the Senate and we will see where everybody stands. No more thoughts and prayers. A vote is what we need. A vote.”