Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) voted to pass the Safer Communities Act, the first piece of gun safety legislation passed by Congress in nearly 30 years. It will now head to the president’s desk to be signed into law.

“Today’s gun safety legislation is proof that when Congress works together, democracy can still work to the benefit of the American people,” said Congressman Norcross. “Coming on the heels of a Supreme Court decision that loosens gun laws, it is clear that we have more work to do. We have a great responsibility as federal lawmakers to ensure our communities are safe. The Safer Communities Act is a good first step that will save lives. I’m proud to have supported this bill so President Biden can sign it into law.”

Since being elected to office, Congressman Norcross has been a consistent voice for gun safety. He has either led or cosponsored over 20 pieces of commonsense gun safety legislation and voted on numerous other gun safety bills. Most recently, he was an original cosponsor of the Protecting Our Kids Act, which passed the House on June 8 but was blocked in the Senate by the 60-vote filibuster rule.

The Safer Communities Act will reduce gun violence by:

• Require more thorough background checks for buyers under 21 years of age.
• Allows the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) additional time to investigate potentially disqualifying records if needed.
• Provides $250 million in funding for community-based violence and prevention initiatives.
• Creates a new $750 million fund for states to create and administer red flag laws.
• Closes the “boyfriend loophole,” barring people convinced of violence toward intimate partners from buying firearms.
• Cracks down on criminals who illegally evade licensing requirements and clarifies which sellers need to register, conduct background checks, and keep appropriate records.
• Creates federal straw purchasing and trafficking criminal offenses, allowing prosecutors to go after illegal gunrunners.
• Invests in children and family mental health services, including $500 million for school-based mental health services.
• Provides $300 million for school safety through violence prevention efforts, training to school personnel, and students. (This money cannot be used to equip or train teachers or administrators with firearms.)

Congressman Norcross has an 100% rating from the from Brady: United Against Gun Violence (formerly the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence), a leading gun safety advocacy non-profit. He has a 0% lifetime rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA).