Senate negotiators reach framework deal on bipartisan gun package

The deal, negotiated by Sens. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and John Cornyn, R-Texas, could be the most significant federal action on gun violence in nearly three decades.

une 12, 2022, 11:43 AM EDT

By Sahil Kapur, Frank Thorp V, Josh Lederman and Yamiche Alcindor

WASHINGTON — Key senators announced a framework agreement on new gun legislation Sunday, marking a breakthrough on a collection of measures to combat gun violence, including "red flag" laws and enhanced background checks on buyers.

The chief negotiators of the deal are Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., an outspoken proponent of gun safety laws, and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, a firm Second Amendment advocate who has promised the new measures won’t impact the gun rights of law-abiding Americans. The final bill hasn't been written yet, sources familiar with the negotiations said.

“Today, we are announcing a commonsense, bipartisan proposal to protect America’s children, keep our schools safe, and reduce the threat of violence across our country," Murphy, Cornyn and other senators involved in the talks said in a joint statement. "Families are scared, and it is our duty to come together and get something done that will help restore their sense of safety and security in their communities."

Unlike the Democratic-authored series of gun bills that passed the House last week, the Senate deal has a good chance of becoming law because it is expected to have support from key Republicans, who wield effective veto power over gun legislation in the Senate due to the 60-vote filibuster rule.

A centerpiece of the Senate deal is substantial resources for states to implement "red flag" laws, which allow individuals like police or family members to petition courts to keep firearms away from people deemed a risk to themselves or others.

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https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/senate-negotiators-reach-framework-deal-bipartisan-gun-package-rcna33128