Rep. Watson Coleman Votes To Pass Major Gun Safety Bill

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ – Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) voted on Friday to pass a bipartisan gun legislation bill designed to restrict gun access to those who pose a risk to their communities.

The legislation is now headed to President Joe Biden’s desk, who is expected to sign it into law.

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act will be the country’s first federal gun violence prevention law in 28 years.

“I know the final bill is not perfect. It lacks provisions that I and many of my Democratic colleagues fought for, including a ban on the military-grade assault weapons used in so many mass shootings,” Watson Coleman said. “However, we must not let this overshadow the historic progress made today. President Biden will soon sign into law the first federal gun violence prevention bill that Congress has passed in almost three decades.”

The House approved the legislation by a 234-193 margin, with 14 Republicans joining the Democrats.

The bill passed the Senate on late Thursday and comes in the wake of the massacres in Buffalo, and Uvalde, Texas. More: Supreme Court Gun Law Ruling An Insult To Victims: Rep. Watson Coleman

The legislation calls for states to enhance background checks for buyers ages 18-20, restrict access to domestic violence offenders and others who pose a risk to the community.

The passage of the bill comes a day after the Supreme Court struck down a New York law that placed strict restrictions on carrying firearms outside the home. More: New York Gun Law Overturned By U.S. Supreme Court In Major Ruling

All of New Jersey's Democratic Congress members voted to approve the legislation, while the two GOP House members, Jeff Van Drew and Chris Smith – voted "no" on the bill.

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com