Bipartisan gun deal makes real progress. The Senate should pass it quickly

It’s not enough, but the bipartisan Senate deal announced over the weekend is a significant step to deal with gun violence.

The framework primarily focuses on providing resources for mental health and school security, encourages states to enact red-flag laws and adds additional background check provisions for those under 21 – among other provisions.

The 10 Republicans and 10 Democrats, including Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona who worked out the deal, appeared to have done so with political realities in mind – not what Democrats have sought in the wake of the mass shootings in Buffalo, N.Y., and Uvalde, Texas.

Significantly, the deal left out expanded background checks, a federal ban on military-style assault weapons and raising the age to buy such weapons to 21.

Congress has the momentum; get this done

Still, President Biden is urging lawmakers to quickly send the bill for his signature, calling it “the most significant gun safety legislation to pass Congress in decades.”

“Families are scared, and it is our duty to come together and get something done that will help restore their sense of safety and security in their communities,” said Kelly, Sinema and the other senators in a joint statement.

Can’t blame anyone from being scared. Gun violence is out of control, from America’s streets to grocery stores to elementary school classrooms.

Federal lawmakers have to do something – and fast. They already have the framework and the backing of 10 Republicans. Now, they must draft actual legislation to put it up for a vote.

Ducey also should press lawmakers to act

Among the most significant provisions is money for states to enact red-flag laws that would allow authorities to temporarily confiscate weapons from people deemed a danger to themselves or others.

Nineteen states already have such a law. Arizona doesn’t. Gov. Doug Ducey – who has previously backed legislation to remove firearms from those deemed to be a threat – should lead the way to convince his fellow legislative Republicans to do it.

Other notable provisions in the bipartisan gun deal include a crackdown on provisions to limit gun trafficking and additional scrutiny of juvenile records for gun sales to those under 21. It also closes the so-called “boyfriend loophole” to prohibit domestic abusers from having guns.

Nixing that loophole would save lives. More than half of all intimate partner homicides are committed with guns, according to the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, and an overwhelming majority of women shot and killed or wounded by their partners were stalked by their abusers in the 12 months before the attack.

These are significant steps, but what’s in the actual legislation is ultimately what matters. It’s easy to sign on in concept but support might fall away, depending on how the legislation is worded. The bipartisan group should expedite a draft bill so everyone can consider the specifics.

Congress must act quickly. We can’t wait for another mass shooting like those in Buffalo and Uvalde, where more than three dozen were gunned down, including 19 children.

This is an opinion of The Arizona Republic’s editorial board. What do you think? Send us a letter to the editor to weigh in.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Bipartisan gun deal makes real progress. Pass it quickly