Highlighting the “Safer Communities Act” in Arizona
April 27, 2023
PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) — Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema was in town on Friday to discuss the bipartisan “Safer Communities Act” that she was part of passing in 2022.
According to a recent analysis by the Associated Press, the U.S. is now averaging one mass shooting a week. Friday’s roundtable was focused on bringing together survivors of gun violence and advocates for change working toward safer communities across Arizona. According to Sen. Sinema, “for too long, we have lived with unacceptable violence in our communities.”
While not limiting gun sales, the Safer Communities Act does include significant changes to federal firearms laws, including background check requirements, restrictions on “straw purchases,” and requirements enhanced reviews of juvenile and mental health records. The act would also oversee the distribution of $15 billion in support for programs and grants for mental healthcare, school safety and security measures, and gun violence’s impact on schools.
“Arizona schools deserve resources to help students learn, grow, and succeed. We’re working to implement funding from our ‘Bipartisan Safer Communities’ law to help children learn in healthy, supportive environments,” said the senator. Other Senators supporting the bill include Senators John Cornyn, Chris Murphy, and Thom Tillis.
The roundtable was held just a day before the arrival of one of the biggest gun shows in the U.S. in the Phoenix area. The Crossroads of the West Gun Show was held April 22 & 23 at the Arizona State Fairgrounds. While the so-called “gun show loophole” came up during the roundtable, discussion turned to focus on distributing the new funding to schools and rural Arizona, including a potential webinar for stakeholders and additional outreach to campus police and security at Arizona’s public & private universities.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said during the roundtable that she will fight for “red flag” laws during the next legislative session. The AG also vowed to push for safe storage laws, and to hold social media companies to account.
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