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The White House on Monday defended a bipartisan gun control proposal, even though it lacks several reforms touted by President Joe Biden.
A bipartisan group of senators announced Sunday a proposal to combat gun violence that aims to crack down on illegal sales, fund mental health and school security, and protect victims of domestic violence. But it stops short of a full assault weapons ban or raising the minimum purchase age for semi-automatic rifles to 21, ideas Biden himself has touted.
SENATORS ANNOUNCE ‘COMMONSENSE, BIPARTISAN’ FRAMEWORK DEAL ON GUN REFORMS
“The text is now going to be written, so we’re going to allow the negotiators to go through that process,” said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. “What we do believe, and what the president has said, is this is a historic agreement. It’s the most significant legislation that we have seen to reduce gun violence since more than 20 years ago.”
The bipartisan proposal includes ideas promoted by Republicans, such as mental health and school security interventions, legislation dealing with straw purchases, and enhanced background checks for buyers of certain weapons aged 18 to 21, rather than a full ban. Biden had also alluded to the dangers of 9 mm handguns, which are not mentioned in the proposal. However, the text of the bill is still being written.
Jean-Pierre stressed that getting action passed through Congress is more important than trying to implement every idea the president wants to see.
“This is about saving lives,” she said. “The president wants to see Congress act. He wants to see this on his desk as quickly as possible, and that’s going to be our focus.”
The press secretary said Biden’s “team” is talking to members of Congress on a regular basis and will continue doing so. She was more circumspect when asked just how involved the White House will be in crafting legislative text and specific proposals.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
“I don’t have any specifics on any pieces of the legislation and our involvement there,” said Jean-Pierre. “What we will say is we want to see this move quickly. The president wants to see this move quickly. This is about saving lives, and we think, again, this is a step forward in getting that done.”
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