MATSUI STATEMENT ON BIPARTISAN GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION AGREEMENT IN SENATE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06)issued the following statement on the recently announced Senate framework for gun violence prevention legislation agreed to by a bipartisan group of 20 senators. The framework includes proposals to expand mental health services and invest in telehealth, two policies that Congresswoman Matsui has long advocated for in the House of Representatives, most recently as the lead sponsor of the Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Act of 2021 and the Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2021.

“The bipartisan agreement is a critical first step to protect our children, make our communities safer and save innocent lives. The framework calls for incentivizing states to adopt red flag laws, enhancing background checks for buyers under 21, and closing loopholes to crack down on illegal gun purchases and gun trafficking.

“The proposal would also make crucial investments in mental health resources — including my bipartisan legislation that would give every state the opportunity to improve access to community mental health service by expanding the Medicaid Certified Community Behavioral Health Care demonstration program. It will also provide our young people with greater access to care via telehealth services — something I have long been fighting to make permanently accessible to millions of Americans in need of mental and behavioral health support.

“The sheer scale of the gun violence epidemic is overwhelming. In Sacramento and communities across the nation, we have paid the painful cost of human life. And while this proposed Senate agreement is not a cure-all solution, it is vital that we seize every bipartisan opportunity to act.

“Earlier this month, I spoke with many Sacramentans and community leaders who are doing the important work on the ground to advocate for change and protect our region’s children and families. While I am pleased with the progress announced by the Senate, my message home remains firm and clear — this may be an important step forward for gun reform, but we still have a long way to go. Moving forward, I will keep fighting for comprehensive, commonsense policies that will collectively make meaningful improvements to the safety of our communities, including expanding universal background checks, regulating ghost guns, banning high-capacity magazines, and raising the age to buy assault weapons. Right now, the Senate must swiftly craft this framework into legislation and pass it as soon as possible — we cannot delay when there are lives at stake.”

The proposal announced by the bipartisan group of senators includes:

Support for State Crisis Intervention Orders (known as Red Flag Laws)

• Provides resources to states and tribes to create and administer laws that help ensure deadly weapons are kept out of the hands of individuals whom a court has determined to be a significant danger to themselves or others, consistent with state and federal due process and constitutional protections.

Investment in Children and Family Mental Health Services

• National expansion of community behavioral health center model; major investments to increase access to mental health and suicide prevention programs; and other support services available in the community, including crisis and trauma intervention and recovery.

Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence

• Convicted domestic violence abusers and individuals subject to domestic violence restraining orders are included in NICS, including those who have or have had a continuing relationship of a romantic or intimate nature. This provision closes the boyfriend loophole.

Funding for School-Based Mental Health and Supportive Services

• Invests in programs to expand mental health and supportive services in schools, including: early identification and intervention programs and school based mental health and wrap-around services.

Funding for School Safety Resources

• Invests in programs to help institute safety measures in and around primary and secondary schools, support school violence prevention efforts and provide training to school personnel and students.

Clarification of Definition of Federally Licensed Firearms Dealer

• Cracks down on criminals who illegally evade licensing requirements and sell guns without a background check.

Telehealth Investments

• Invests in programs that increase access to mental and behavioral health services for youth and families in crisis via telehealth.

Under 21 Enhanced Review Process

• For buyers under 21 years of age, requires an investigative period to review juvenile and mental health records, including checks with state databases and local law enforcement.

Penalties for Straw Purchasing

• Cracks down on criminals who illegally straw purchase and traffic guns.

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