WASHINGTON — Sen. John Cornyn has taken hefty criticism for what’s included and not included in the bipartisan agreement announced Sunday by the Texas Republican and 19 other senators, and is open about what didn’t make the cut.
Ten Democrat and 10 Republican senators signed on in support of the gun deal which would install many provisions like increasing access and funding for mental health resources in schools and communities, and offering states resources to implement red flag laws.
Cornyn said on Twitter the following measures were rejected because they would not have received enough votes needed to pass in any upcoming legislation:
— Universal background checks
— An assault weapon ban for 18- to 21-year-olds
— Mandatory waiting period for all gun sales
— 21-day waiting period for purchases by 18-to 21-year-olds
— High capacity magazine ban
— Unconstitutional mandatory safe storage requirements for all firearms in home
— Licensing requirement for purchasing an assault weapon
— Criminal penalties for negligent storage of firearms in home
— Low mens rea (criminal intent) standard for straw purchasing and trafficking firearms
Many of the provisions excluded from talks were supported by gun control activists and President Joe Biden, and were approved last week by the House. The proposed set of measures have also received criticism from Republicans who feel the changes infringe on Second Amendment rights.
In talking about the negotiation process on Fox News this morning, Cornyn said he and Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., come from very different states, but they’ve found common ground on issues like background checks.
“We’ve found a way to come up with good policies enforcing the current law and respect the fundamental right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms,” Cornyn said.
Cornyn said he hopes to finish drafting the legislation this week and have it on the floor for consideration by next week.
