Tougher Gun Safety Measures Approved at Federal Level

June 30, 2022

On June 25, President Biden signed into law the first major gun safety legislation passed by Congress in nearly three decades. 

The bipartisan legislation includes: 

• Incentives for states to pass “red flag” laws that allow groups to petition courts to remove weapons from people deemed a threat to themselves or others. The congressional measures will provide crisis intervention grants of $750 million to states that can be used to implement these laws. The grants also will be available to states for mental health and drug courts. 

• Expands an existing law that prevents people convicted of domestic abuse from owning a gun to include dating partners rather than just spouses and former spouses. This bill, in effect, closes the so-called “boyfriend loophole.” 

• Requires more gun sellers to register as Federally Licensed Firearm Dealers; 

• Penalizes straw purchases of firearms;  

• Expands background checks on people between the ages of 18 and 21 seeking to buy a gun; and 

• Funds more school safety resources. 

The signing of the gun safety legislation came just two days after the U.S. Supreme Court decided in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen that Americans have a constitutional right to carry a handgun in public for self-defense. The ruling struck down a New York state law that required anyone who wanted to carry concealed guns in public to show they had "proper cause" indicating they had a specific need. 

The MMA has been a long-time advocate for responsible firearm safety legislation. In particular, the MMA’s advocacy has included the following: 

• Expanding criminal background checks to all firearm transfers and sales; 

• Enacting a “red flag” law to allow law enforcement to protect those who may be a danger to themselves or others; 

• Authorizing the use of firearm ownership data for public health research or epidemiologic investigation; and 

• Working with coalition partners to raise awareness of the role that firearms play in suicides. 

MEDPAC, the MMA’s political action committee, has worked to: 

• Help elect candidates for state-level offices who support common sense firearm safety legislation; 

• Create a statewide grassroots advocacy network across Minnesota communities to reinforce direct lobbying efforts at the Minnesota State Capitol.