Skip to main content

Congressman Jason Crow Helps Pass First Comprehensive Gun Safety Reform in 30 Years

June 24, 2022

WASHINGTON – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06) today helped pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the first comprehensive gun safety reform package in 30 years. Coloradans have been uniquely impacted by gun violence, having lived through the trauma of Columbine, Aurora Theater, STEM High School, Arapahoe High School shootings, and so many others. In addition to progress on gun safety measures, this bill also includes investments in mental health services and increased funding for school safety.

“When I was elected to this seat, I promised Coloradans that I would fight to protect our community from gun violence. Today I am proud to vote for the first comprehensive gun violence prevention package this congress has passed in 30 years,” Congressman Crow said today in a speech on the House floor. “Today’s success belongs to every Coloradan who turned their hurt into action. This long-overdue progress is theirs.”

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is a commonsense, bipartisan proposal to protect America’s children, keep our schools safe, and reduce the threat of violence across our country. Some of the specific provisions include:

  • Support for State Crisis Intervention Orders:  Creates $750 million for states to create and administer laws that will ensure deadly weapons are kept out of the hands of individuals determined by a court.
  • Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence by Closing the Boyfriend Loophole:  Adds convicted domestic violence abusers in dating relationships to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
  • Penalties for Straw Purchasing:  Creates federal straw purchasing and gun trafficking criminal offenses, allowing prosecutors to target dangerous illegal gunrunners.
  • Clarified Definition of Federally Licensed Firearms Dealer:  Cracks down on criminals who illegally evade licensing requirements and clarifies which sellers need to register, conduct background checks, and keep appropriate records.
  • Enhanced Background Checks for People Under 21: Requires an investigative period to review juvenile and mental health records, including checks with state databases and local law enforcement, for buyers under 21 years of age, creating an enhanced, longer background check of up to ten days.
  • Anti-Violence Community Initiatives:  Provides $250 million in funding for community-based violence prevention initiatives.

This bill also includes contours ofpieces of Congressman Crow’s Firearm Retailer Code of Conduct Act, which he introduced last October. It will now proceed to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

See a full explainer on the bill here.

###