One of the most important factors to resolve in the framework agreement is how the legislation will be drafted. The announcement includes the support of 10 Republican senators, which would give the proposal enough support to overcome the Senate obstruction, but maintaining it during the legislative process will be a massive challenge for lawmakers before the next recession in Congress. in two weeks.
Still, Democrats have an ambitious goal: to draft the bill and keep Republicans on board before the next recess, CNN aides say. Many of the details of the plan are yet to be resolved, according to an attendee, who also provided CNN with a more detailed summary starting Sunday on how some of the proposed provisions would work.
Here’s what the legislators included in the framework and what they left out.
“Red flag” laws.
One of the most significant parts of the framework is to help states create and implement so-called red flag laws, which aim to keep guns out of the hands of those who pose a threat to themselves or others. . This legislation would provide significant funding to help states create new red flag laws, but the 19 states – and Washington, DC – that already have these laws in the books would also be eligible for funding to improve the effectiveness of their established programs. .
Investment in mental health and telehealth
The proposal also includes “significant investments to increase access to mental health and suicide prevention programs; and other support services available to the community, such as crisis and trauma intervention and recovery.”
Members will send these provisions carefully over the next few weeks because, while Democrats consider them important, they want to emphasize that most people struggling with mental illness are not violent.
Closing the crack of the so-called boyfriend
Senators said the legislation will address the so-called boyfriend gap, which deals with whether unmarried couples could keep guns if they were found guilty of violence against a dating partner.
Earlier this year, Senate negotiators involved in the Violence Against Women Act abandoned the provision due to objections from the National Rifle Association, giving a big blow to Democrats. But their inclusion in this framework indicates that at least 10 Republicans are willing to oppose the country’s largest arms lobby on an issue where they have a long-standing position.
Currently, only a person who has been married, lived or had a child with a partner who has been convicted of abuse cannot have a gun. Closing the gap would mean that anyone who was considered to have been in a serious dating relationship and convicted of domestic violence would no longer be eligible to have a weapon.
Improved review process for buyers under 21 years of age
The other major change in legislation is to issue a more thorough review process for people between the ages of 18 and 21 who are going to buy a gun like an AR-15. Under a background check, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System should also contact state and local law enforcement to look for any history of disqualifying mental or juvenile health, according to the Democratic aide.
NICS should call the appropriate agency that awards mental health records to each state. NICS would take up to 3 days to complete the search, but it could take another seven days if the initial review raises concerns, which means that the process could take a total of 10 days.
It is not an established waiting period, as each individual’s review can be very different from a few hours to a maximum of 10 days.
Clarify the definition of a federally licensed firearm distributor
The language of this provision is still being debated, but more firearms sellers who have been shown to be “involved in the business of selling firearms” should be warned that they have been fired. to register to become a federally licensed firearms dealer. This is important because it means that these dealers must perform background checks in accordance with federal law.
School safety resources
The legislation would address an area that Republicans have focused on in recent weeks: school safety. Lawmakers said in a statement that the proposal provides money “to help institute security measures in and around primary and secondary schools,” while supporting “efforts to prevent school violence” and employee training. and school students.
What lawmakers left out
Extended background checks
In particular, the agreement does not include a provision that would extend background checks to all sales or transfers of firearms in the country. Currently, background checks are not required for sales and transfers of weapons by private and unlicensed vendors.
Democrats have long supported this requirement, and last year the House passed gun legislation that would extend background checks on all commercial arms sales, marking Congress’ first measure of significant control. of arms since the Democrats won the White House and the majority in both houses of Congress. .
Prohibition of assault weapons
The federal ban on military-style assault weapons is also set aside, another measure Democrats have been pushing for in recent years, citing mass shootings involving those weapons.
Higher minimum purchase age
Also, the agreement does not include a change in the age a person must have to buy an assault-style weapon. Democrats, including West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, the House’s most conservative Democrat, have said the age for buying assault weapons should be raised from 18 to 21.