The U.S. House has passed two gun reform bills in two days
The U.S. House has passed two gun reform bills in two days
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The U.S. House has passed two gun reform bills in two days
The U.S. House has passed two gun reform bills in two days.
On Thursday, the House passed a red flag bill, which would allow a judge to take guns away from someone or keep them from buying guns if they pose an imminent threat to themselves or other people.
On Wednesday, the House passed the "Protecting Our Kids Act" by a relatively slim margin. It had the support of only five Republicans.
“Criminals will always, always, always get guns,” U.S. Rep. William Timmons said.
Timmons was one of the dissenting votes for both House bills.
Most notably, the "Protecting Our Kids Act" would raise the age to buy a semi-automatic rifle from 18 to 21.
It would also ban the sale of ammunition magazines that hold more than 15 rounds.
Majority Whip U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn voted in support of the "Protecting Our Kids Act."
On Twitter, Clyburn called the bill "sensible and comprehensive."
“I’m willing to do everything we can make sure our kids and our schools are as safe as possible, but banning guns is not the answer,” Timmons said.
Timmons threw his support into funding for school safety.
“We can put sensors on every door in every school in America to make sure we know that all the doors are closed and locked," Timmons said. "We can make sure we have an armed school resource officer, teacher, janitor, principal, whatever. At least one or two people in every school in this country that are both armed with a weapon and have the training and ability to use it.”
Timmons also says he will help move forward with future legislation to provide funding to strengthen the security on school doors and windows, and electronic surveillance.
Timmons also voted against the red flag bill Thursday.
“There are definitely ways to make sure law enforcement can use existing laws to make sure we have advanced notice of potential attacks. All of these schools shooting had incredible indicators prior to them happening,” Timmons said.
Clyburn again voiced his support Thursday for the red flag bill.
“If there is good reason to believe someone poses a threat, they should not have access to firearms,” Clyburn said on Twitter.
Both bills face an uphill battle in the U.S. Senate.
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