The law limiting the purchase of guns in the nation to individuals between the ages of 18 and 21, who have a criminal record, a history of mental illness, or who have engaged in domestic violence, was signed by US President Joe Biden on Saturday.
Gun purchases had a minimum age requirement of 18 up until recently, but no identification was needed. The shooter who killed 19 students and two teachers at an elementary school in Texas last month did so on his 18th birthday.
The US Congress enacted the new bill this week, which is the most significant change to the country’s gun rules in three decades.
In response to the relatives of the victims of the Texas attack who demanded revisions to the legislation, Biden said, “God willing, many lives will be saved.” “The message urged us to take action. We did it today.”
The new law gives the US states the ability to investigate gun buyers’ criminal and mental health histories and to prohibit the sale if they feel it is necessary. This would apply to those accused of domestic violence.
The bill also allocates money for mental health initiatives and assistance for schools following shootings.
In response to limitations put in place by Republican congressmen and senators to pass the bill, Biden said in a speech on Saturday that the law “does not give all I wanted,” but that “it includes many things that I have been asking for a long time and that will save lives.”
