CLEVELAND — Republicans and Democrats in the Senate have been working together on federal legislation to address gun violence in America. The effort began after last month’s mass shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas. 

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act results from negotiations between 10 Democrats and 10 Republicans. Lawmakers said it is on track to pass the Senate in the coming days, and gun safety organizations, like The National Gun Safety Consortium, applauded the effort. 

“I just want to say congratulations to this group of senators who came together and stayed in a room over days and days. We know what probably went on in that room. There were probably tremendous impasses, but they didn’t walk away when the going got tough,” said Donna Weinberger of the National Gun Safety Consortium.

Some gun rights associations, like the Buckeye Firearms Association, which said it opposes the bill, said it leaves gun owners with concerns. 

“Think anytime you put a bill on the floor that hasn’t gone through the committee process, they haven’t had hearings where the public is able to come in and testify, we haven’t had a chance to digest the bill and make good analysis and maybe even make suggestions that gives us pause,” said Rob Sexton, Legislative Affairs Director of the Buckeye Firearms Association.

The National Gun Safety Consortium is a bipartisan group of municipalities throughout the country lead by mayors, including the mayors of Cincinnati and Toledo, police chiefs and other public officials.

The organization’s mission is to prevent gun violence by helping gun owners secure their firearms, as well as develop products that can help law enforcement investigate and prevent gun-related crimes.

Weinberger said she’s glad to see the bill enhance background checks for buyers between the age of 18-21 and close the “boyfriend loophole,” which ensures that serious dating partners are included in a federal law that bars domestic abusers from purchasing firearms.

“We know that the biggest predictor of violence in terms of individuals committing violence is that they have committed previous violence,” Weinberger said. 

The bill also provides millions of dollars to schools and communities to expand school safety and mental health resources. 

“We believe there are issues with mental health concerns in this country,” said Sexton. “I can’t tell you that the solutions need to be federal versus state solutions, but obviously, there needs to be more resources put into it, so we favor that direction.”

Weinberger said although she does not believe mental health issues cause gun violence, the increase in mental health resource funding is necessary. 

“It’s wonderful because we have a full-blown mental health crisis in this country that’s been exacerbated during the pandemic,” she said. 

Weinberger and many others said the bill is not perfect, but it’s an important step in combating gun violence in America. 

“I never want perfection to be the enemy of the good,” she said. 

The Buckeye Firearms Association said it is asking Ohio lawmakers to oppose the bill, and encouraged gun owners who have concerns to contact their legislators.