Rep. Watson Coleman Votes for Historic Gun Violence Prevention Bill

Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) voted to pass historic legislation that would directly address the United States’ gun violence crisis. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act will be the country’s first federal gun violence prevention law in 28 years.  

“In the wake of the massacres in Buffalo, Uvalde, and countless others, Congress has finally decided to act. Today, the House passed legislation to directly address the American gun violence epidemic,” said Congresswoman Watson Coleman. “Among other provisions, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act will incentivize states to adopt red flag laws, enhance background checks for individuals ages 18-20, and close the ‘boyfriend loophole’ that previously allowed abusive partners to purchase deadly weapons.”  

“I know the final bill is not perfect. It lacks provisions that I and many of my Democratic colleagues fought for, including a ban on the military-grade assault weapons used in so many mass shootings,” Congresswoman Watson Coleman continued. “However, we must not let this overshadow the historic progress made today. President Biden will soon sign into law the first federal gun violence prevention bill that Congress has passed in almost three decades.”  

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act has already passed the Senate. With its passage in the House, the bill now heads to the President’s desk.