Reps. Ryan, Johnson release statements on passage of Protecting Our Kids Act
WASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Protecting Our Kids Act Wednesday in light of a number of mass shootings that have happened around the country.
The bill includes a number of provisions aimed at addressing the ongoing gun violence in the country.
Included in the bill are measures that would raise the age for buying a semi-automatic weapon to 21, ban the use of magazines with more than 15 rounds for citizens, and add offenses connected to gun trafficking.
It would also require ghost guns to get serial numbers, ban bump stocks and add more security measures to home gun storage.
The bill passed the house by a vote of 223-204 in a mostly partisan vote.
Local congressman Tim Ryan voted to pass the bill, saying that it will help save lives by closing loopholes.
"We live in a time when no place - not schools, grocery stores, hospitals, houses of worship, workplaces, movie theaters, or bars - is safe from mass murder. It does not have to be this way," Congressman Ryan said. "With today's passage of the Protecting Our Kids Act and two bipartisan background check bills we have already voted on in the House, the onus now falls on the Senate to pass this legislation to keep our kids, our families, and our communities safe. The American people are demanding more than our thoughts and prayers. They want us to act."
Valley representative Bill Johnson voted against the legislation.
Johnson called the legislation a radical gun bill, saying responsible gun owners are not accountable for the actions of evil bad actors. He said the bill brought to the floor was "an insincere, cynical exercise in crass political messaging." He also said the bill has zero chance of making it through the Senate.
"I am open to working with ANYONE who has reasonable ideas as to how we can help prevent future school shootings and other acts of violence. I am following what the Senate is currently working on and I will take a hard look at what they come up with, because it has the potential to be passed into law," Representative Johnson said.
In the statement, Johnson said he would support expanding background checks for those who recently turned 18 to include juvenile criminal histories.
"Additionally, I have supported - and will continue to support - efforts to improve the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals who face serious mental health challenges, and I support common-sense measures to reduce the overall culture of violence in America," Johnson said.
The bill will go to the Senate for further consideration.
