House Speaker Nancy Pelosi claims that the White House is planning to ban assault weapons soon.
Pelosi revealed on Wednesday that the lower chamber is drafting legislation that will ban military-style “assault” weapons, in the coming weeks in response to the recent deadly shooting massacre that killed 21 people, including 19 children at a Texas elementary school.
According to the reports, the so-called “red flag” legislation is designed to prevent potentially violent persons from keeping such weapons.
The House Democratic leaders have also scheduled a vote next week while the House Judiciary Committee will meet in an emergency session on Thursday. The session is said to “mark up a slate of eight additional anti-gun violence bills, including proposals to ban high-capacity magazines and raise the age for purchasing certain semi-automatic rifles,” the Hill reported.
Moreover, Pelosi also revealed that the White House is considering legislation that will warn the public of active shooter situations.
“And then, as we get through those, we will be having a hearing and marking up the assault weapon ban. So we just are trying to hit it every possible way.” Pelosi said.
However, it is still unclear whether Pelosi was referring to the legislation led and sponsored by Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.), that would reportedly prohibit the transfer, import, sale, and manufacture of 205 models of semi-automatic rifle. However, the legislation does not cover the banning of gun owners who already possess such firearms from using them.
Following Pelosi’s announcement, a senior Democratic aide revealed on Wednesday that they are currently “looking at many legislative options to make our country safer and assessing where we have the votes.”
The decision came after the deadly mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, just 10 days before the horrific shooting in Buffalo, New York that killed 10 civilians.
Amid the increasing violence in the United States, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced legislation, banning the ability to ”buy, sell, transfer or import handguns anywhere” in his country.
“The Supreme Court has been clear that the Second Amendment protects the fundamental right to have a handgun in the home for self-defense. So, even if handgun prohibition were politically feasible, the courts will strike it down.” Duke University law professor Joseph Blocher said.
