Sweeping Bipartisan Gun Reform Proposal Backed By NJ Lawmaker

NEW JERSEY - New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker has joined over a dozen U.S. lawmakers from across the aisle in support of a "common sense" bipartisan gun reform proposal that would invest in school safety resources and increase requirements for those under 21 seeking to buy a firearm.

On Sunday, 10 Democrats and 10 Republicans announced support for the plan, which would require 60 votes in the Senate to pass. Alongside Booker, its backers include Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

“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,” said a joint statement from the Senate supporters. "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. Our plan increases needed mental health resources, improves school safety and support for students, and helps ensure dangerous criminals and those who are adjudicated as mentally ill can’t purchase weapons."

The lawmakers propose an investigative period to review mental health records for those under 21 seeking to buy a gun, including checks with state and local databases. Funding for programs to expand school-based mental health services, including early identification and intervention, as well as school violence prevention training, are also included in the proposal.

Other items in the plan include barring those convicted of domestic abuse from purchasing a gun, cracking down on those who illegally evade licensing requirements and providing additional funding to increase access to mental health, telehealth and suicide prevention programs.

"Most importantly, our plan saves lives while also protecting the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans," the lawmakers said. "We look forward to earning broad, bipartisan support and passing our commonsense proposal into law.”

President Joe Biden took to Twitter on Sunday to announce his support of the bipartisan plan:

“I want to thank Senator Chris Murphy and the bipartisan group for their gun safety proposal. It does not do everything that I think is needed, but it reflects important steps in the right direction,” the president said. “With bipartisan support, there are no excuses for delay. Let’s get this done.”