New Gun Regulation Bars 500+ Young Adults from Purchasing Firearms, States AG

Following the recent Iowa school shooting, AG Merrick Garland revealed a positive stat: Over 500 gun purchases were blocked after the 2022 law enforcing stricter background checks for those under 21.

The legislation, a bipartisan effort passed in June 2022, marked a significant stride in gun control, mandating enhanced scrutiny for young gun buyers.

The rejected purchases under this law spanned a spectrum of concerning backgrounds, denying firearms to individuals with convictions for serious crimes such as rape, involvement in attempted murder cases, and those who had undergone involuntary mental-health treatment, as detailed by the Justice Department.

President Joe Biden hailed this development as a critical milestone, asserting that the legislation has undeniably contributed to saving lives. 

While commending this progress, he also emphasized the need for further measures, advocating for universal background checks and a ban on firearms commonly labeled as assault weapons. 

Biden, a proponent of stricter gun control, highlighted his administration’s aggressive executive actions against gun violence, vowing to persist in combating this pervasive issue.

Gun Law Arising from Prior Mass Shootings

The recent tragedy in Iowa, where a 17-year-old armed with a shotgun and handgun claimed the life of a sixth-grader and injured five others on the first day of classes, reignited concerns about gun accessibility. 

Despite federal regulations prohibiting individuals under 18 from purchasing firearms, the source of the shooter’s weapons remains unclear.

The 2022 law emerged in response to a spate of mass shootings, including the devastating incident in Texas that claimed the lives of 19 students and two teachers. 

Designed as a compromise, the law not only tightened background checks for young buyers but also aimed to prevent firearm access for domestic violence offenders and facilitate the implementation of red flag laws in states.

Attorney General Garland cautioned against complacency, stressing the need for sustained efforts despite encouraging declines in homicides across several US cities. 

With 527 blocked gun sales underscoring the law’s impact, Garland reiterated the imperative of continuous action in tackling gun violence, acknowledging that there’s still much ground to cover.