HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio) - U.S. Senators Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal announced a bipartisan gun reform agreement with changes that Congress hasn't seen with gun-related legislation in 30 years.
After three long weeks of deliberation, 10 Democrats and 10 Republicans came to an agreement on five significant changes to gun laws.
The measures include major federal funding to build out state red flag laws across the country, the closure of the boyfriend loophole, a new rigorous review standard for firearm buyers under 21, a new federal prohibition on straw purchasing and gun trafficking, and an update to background check statutes to ensure arms dealers of all kinds are required to perform background checks.
Senators also plan to introduce legislation that would bring about a massive investment in mental health, Murphy and Blumenthal said.
The agreement still needs to be drafted and finalized with written text, so many details are still being worked out.
However, Murphy and Blumenthal said the fear and the anxiety that the country has felt given the recent mass shootings, particularly among Republicans, is giving them great confidence that this legislative proposal will pass.
The goal, according to Murphy, is to have the legislative proposal written up and voted on before Congress goes into the July 4th recess in two weeks.
Blumenthal reassures Americans that this is a top priority for Congress, but Murphy stressed that this was an aggressive goal and that it would be tough to meet it.
The two also admitted that this agreement will not end gun violence overnight, but they said it will make a difference and it will create momentum for even more change in the future.
The National Rifle Association said it will not respond to the agreement until the full text of the proposed gun control bills is available for review.