- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
President Joe Biden signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act into law on Saturday morning, June 25, 2022. The law is the most comprehensive gun control piece of legislation in almost three decades.
The House of Representatives on Friday approved the legislation by a 234-193 margin, as 14 Republicans joined all Democrats. On Thursday, the Senate passed its version of the bill on Thursday with a final vote of 65 to 33, with 15 Republicans voting in favor of the legislation.
Citing the numerous shootings across America during the past two decades, President Biden said Americans have been calling for action.
"From Columbine to Sandy Hook, to Charleston, Orlando, Las Vegas, Parkland, El Paso, Atlanta, Buffalo, Uvalde, and for the shootings that happen every day in the streets that are mass shootings -- and we don't even hear about them, the number of people killed every day in the streets -- their message to us was: “Do something.” How many times we heard that? “Just do something.” For God's sake, just do something," Biden said.
The new law is intended to keep guns out of dangerous people’s hands by closing the so-called boyfriend loophole and restricting gun ownership for domestic violence offenders who are not married to their partners.
The law will set up grants for states to encourage red-flag laws, which allows a means for law enforcement, relatives, and friends to seek courts to order the removal of a gun if an individual is deemed dangerous.
Another key provision of the law enhances screening for gun buyers under the age of 21, and crack down on illegal gun purchases and trafficking.
The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act provides billions of dollars in additional funding for school safety and mental health resources.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsUS Presidents in Their Own Words Concerning American Indians
Next on Native Bidaské: Preserving Indian Health with A.C. Locklear
Hozhonigo Institute Helps Drive $34.5M in Grant Pipeline for Tribal Communities
Torres, LaMalfa Lead Push to Safeguard Culturally Important Tribal Seed Varieties
Help us defend tribal sovereignty.
At Native News Online, our mission is rooted in telling the stories that strengthen sovereignty and uplift Indigenous voices — not just at year’s end, but every single day.
Because of your generosity last year, we were able to keep our reporters on the ground in tribal communities, at national gatherings and in the halls of Congress — covering the issues that matter most to Indian Country: sovereignty, culture, education, health and economic opportunity.
That support sustained us through a tough year in 2025. Now, as we look to the year ahead, we need your help right now to ensure warrior journalism remains strong — reporting that defends tribal sovereignty, amplifies Native truth, and holds power accountable.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Your support keeps Native voices heard, Native stories told and Native sovereignty defended.
Stand with Warrior Journalism today.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
