Mayor Tishaura O. Jones Joins White House Ceremony for Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, Urges Renewal of Assault Weapons Ban, Confirmation of ATF Director

July 11, 2022

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Today, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones joined President Joe Biden, gun safety advocates and other elected leaders at the White House to celebrate the signing of the bipartisan Communities Act. safer, the first major federal gun safety law enacted in nearly 26 years. Mayor Jones also echoed Vice President Kamala Harris’ call to renew the assault weapons ban and urged the Senate to confirm Steve Dettlebach as ATF director.

“The Safer Communities Act is an important first step in making our neighborhoods safer by expanding background checks, encouraging red flag laws, disarming domestic abusers and investing in violence intervention. community and mental health resources,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “Our leaders in Washington must maintain the momentum – Congress must renew the assault weapons ban and confirm Steve Dettlebach as ATF director.”

Highlights of the Safe Communities Act include:

• Background check for 18-21 year olds: Improves background checks for people aged 18-21 through an enhanced review process through the National Criminal Background Checks System (NICS) with an initial inquiry period to review health records mental and juvenile in three days. The bill encourages states to provide juvenile records to allow for thorough examinations.
• Closes the “boyfriend loophole”, which allows convicted domestic abusers to purchase guns if they are not married to their partner. This loophole ignores violence and homicide caused by dating partners. The bill closes that loophole. The measure also adds those convicted of domestic violence to the NICS. However, a compromise was included allowing someone convicted of a misdemeanor for attacking a romantic partner to be able to buy a gun after five years.
• Funds to States for Crisis Response and “Red Flag” Laws: Directs more money for states to implement their own plans to address gun violence through crisis response and “red flag” laws. Under the deal, every state will have the ability to apply for grants to help pay for crisis intervention programs, whether or not they pass ‘red flag’ laws that allow judges to remove guns. potentially dangerous owners.
• Federal support to address the root causes of crimeincluding $250 million in funding for community violence intervention programs $250 million for states, DC and territories to improve comprehensive community mental health services.

Mayor Jones also thanked Senator Roy Blunt for his critical vote on this bill, stressing that improving public safety is and must remain a bipartisan issue. Mayor Jones is co-chair of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, which called for the legislation to be passed when it was unveiled in June.