House passes bipartisan gun safety measure, sends to Biden for signature

The Democrat-controlled House on Friday passed a bipartisan gun safety bill, sending the measure to President Biden so he can sign the measure into law.

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act cleared the chamber in a 234 to 193 vote. The Senate late Thursday passed the bill in a 65-33 vote.

The bill follows a string of mass shootings, among them the May 24 attack at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, during which 19 children and two teachers were killed.

A bipartisan group of senators, lead by Texas GOP Sen. John Cornyn negotiated the compromise measure which avoids an assault weapons ban or magazine capacity limit but closes the "boyfriend" loophole and allocates funding for the prevention of mass shootings.

Cornyn's state bore witness to the Uvalde attack and his approval ratings have held steady amid his push for gun reform, despite the Republican stronghold traditionally supporting expansive gun rights.

To end the boyfriend loophole, the legislation prohibits a misdemeanor domestic violence offender with a "current or recent former dating relationship with the victim" from owning or purchasing a gun. The definition of a "dating relationship" will be left to the court's discretion.

Also included in the bill is an enhancement of background checks for gun buyers aged 18-21.

Republican House leadership stood squarely against the measure though 14 Republicans joined the Democrats in voting for the bill, according to CBS News.