A vote on new gun legislation could happen within the next two weeks Minnesota U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar said on Thursday during an appearance on WCCO Radio.
Klobuchar joined the WCCO Radio Morning News with Vineeta Sawkar to discuss the Ocean Shipping Reform Act that President Joe Biden will sign Thursday when Sawkar asked about gun reform and a so-called "boyfriend provision loophole" championed by Klobuchar.
"This is something Minnesota already has in law," Klobuchar said. "There's a whole bunch of states across the country that still allow convicted domestic abusers, who are in some kind of relationship, to go out and buy a gun."
Klobuchar said the loophole needs to be closed, especially when married individuals convicted of domestic abuse are barred from owning or purchasing firearms.
"All the statistics show when 600 women are killed with guns by someone who's been convicted of domestic violence, half of them are boyfriend situations," added Klobuchar. "And that's why we're trying close this loophole. Republicans have tentatively agreed to it."
A bipartisan deal announced over the weekend includes support from 10 Republicans in the split U.S. Senate. The proposal aims to require a more extensive background check for someone under the age of 21 to buy any gun.
"None of these shootings are the same," Klobuchar said. "Some will be helped by a background check, some will be helped by making sure 18 to 21-year-olds records are checked. I would make sure they didn't get those assault weapons more aggressively, but we're in a 50-50 Senate and we have to negotiate."
