Rep. Cleaver Helps Pass Historic Gun Safety Legislation to Protect Missouri Communities

June 24, 2022
Press Release

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) voted in favor of S. 2938, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, a commonsense, bipartisan proposal to protect America's children, keep our schools safe, and reduce the threat of gun violence in communities across nation. The first major gun violence prevention bill in three decades, the legislation would close the boyfriend loophole, enhance background checks, strengthen mental health services for children and families, and invest in safer schools throughout the country.

"As America continues to face a rising tide of gun violence across the nation, now more than ever, it is imperative that Congress show the public that we can take action to protect our communities and save lives. Today, we took a major step in the right direction," said Congressman Cleaver. "While I am not pollyannaish enough to believe that this legislation will end our nation's addiction to weapons of war, it is the first gun safety legislation passed by Congress in decades—and it will unquestionably save lives in the future. As we celebrate this victory today, we must continue to push for common sense gun safety laws that will prevent the possibility of senseless and heartbreaking shootings tomorrow. If other developed nations can find a way to dramatically cut down on gun violence, then so can the United States. I remain committed to working toward solutions that will help us do just that."

To protect Americans from mass shootings and senseless gun violence, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act will:

  • Support State Crisis Intervention Orders with $750 million for states to create and administer laws that will ensure deadly weapons are kept out of the hands of individuals determined by a court to be a significant danger to themselves or others, and for extreme risk protection orders that have sufficient due process.
  • Protect victims of domestic violence by closing the boyfriend loophole, adding convicted domestic violence abusers in dating relationships to the National Instant Criminal Background Checks System (NICS).
  • Ban gun trafficking and crack down on straw purchases, combatting criminals who illegally evade licensing requirements and clarifying which sellers need to register, conduct background checks, and keep appropriate records. It also creates federal straw purchasing and trafficking criminal offenses for the first time, allowing prosecutors to target dangerous illegal gunrunners.
  • Enhance background checks for people under 21, requiring an investigative period to review juvenile and mental health records, including checks with state databases and local law enforcement for buyers under 21 years of age, which will create an enhanced, longer background check of up to ten days.
  • Invest in anti-violence community initiatives, with $250 million in funding for community-based violence prevention initiatives.
  • Strengthen children and family mental health services by supporting the national expansion of community behavioral health centers; improving access to mental health services for children, youth, and families through the Medicaid program and CHIP; increasing access to mental health services for youth and families in crisis via telehealth; and providing major investments at the Department of Health and Human Services to programs that expand provider training in mental health.
  • Invest in safer schools by expanding mental health and supportive services in schools, including early identification and intervention programs, school-based mental health and wrap-around services, improvements to school-wide learning conditions, and school safety.

Official text of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is available here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.