2LT Local News

House Democrats target closing loopholes in U.S. gun laws

May 24, 2021

WASHINGTON D.C.: House Democrats have submitted a bill they claim will close loopholes in U.S. gun laws, in an effort to prevent mass shootings.

Sponsored by Rep. Val Demings of Florida, the Protecting Our Communities Act was described as “an ambitious effort to take action to prevent gun violence,” her office said.

Among other points, the bill regulates “ghost guns” by requiring gun kits to include a serial number, and that those purchasing the kits must undergo background checks. The bill also regulates concealable assault rifles.

Additionally, the bill would require authorities to inform state and local law enforcement within 24 hours of when an ineligible individual lies on a background check when purchasing a gun.
“I’m sick of inaction, while easily fixed loopholes cause death and tragedy in our communities,” Demings said.

Seven Democrats, along with Demings, introduced the bill that Deming predicts will pass quickly.

The introduction of the law comes after a number of mass shootings in the United States, including in Boulder, Colorado that resulted in 10 people dead in March and one in Atlanta, Georgia days later that resulted in the deaths of six Asian-American women.

According to the non-profit Gun Violence Archive organization, there were 214 mass shootings in the first 138 days of this year, increasing from 117 from the same period in 2020.