The Safer Communities Act swiftly moved through the House and to the President’s desk on June 25, 2022 — less than 48 hours after the Senate voted to pass the first significant gun safety bill in decades. The new law includes:

• Funds crisis intervention, including red flag laws to keep guns out of the hands of people who are a danger to themselves and to others.
• Finally closes what’s known as the “boyfriend loophole,” so if you assault your girlfriend or boyfriend you can’t buy or own a gun.
• Requires young people aged 18-21 to undergo enhanced background checks.
• Includes the first federal law that makes gun trafficking and straw purchases distinct federal crimes.
• Clarifies who needs to register as a federally licensed gun dealer and run background checks before selling a gun.
• Provides historic funding to address the youth mental health crisis in this country, especially the trauma experienced by survivors of gun violence.
• Invests in anti-violence programs to work directly with people who are most likely to commit gun crimes or become victims of gun crimes.