Opinion: Sen. Cornyn, close the gun loophole as part of bipartisan deal

Guns serve many purposes. In the military, I learned to use them as weapons to suppress the enemy. I have friends who use them to hunt and feed their families. I know collectors who prize them as historical treasures.

But they’ve also been utilized by evil people to take the lives of church-goers, grocery shoppers, and schoolchildren. And in the wake of tragedy, too often, guns are used as political tools.

Recently, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators came together to find common ground on gun safety, mental health and school safety, all while respecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners. Thanks to leaders like Texas’ own Senator John Cornyn, we are on the verge of strong bipartisan legislation to help keep Americans safe from gun violence. If passed, it would be the first major federal law on gun safety in 26 years. We need our political leaders to see this legislation through to the finish.

The bipartisan framework would enhance background checks for gun buyers under the age of 21, clarify who is classified as a gun dealer, crack down on gun trafficking, and provide more funding for mental health, red flag laws and school safety. This potential legislation would also address the “dating partner loophole.”

Currently, an individual convicted of domestic abuse or subject to a restraining order is prohibited from purchasing a gun — if and only if, they are married, they had children together, or lived together. If the abuser was only dating their victim, then that abusive dating partner can still purchase a firearm, even after a restraining order is issued or they are convicted in court.

This gaping loophole in federal law should be closed. An abusive boyfriend is just as dangerous as an abusive husband.

Additionally, red flag laws — or extreme risk protection orders — are one of the best tools we have to prevent gun suicide. Red flag laws allow family members or law enforcement to go before a judge and show evidence that someone is a lethal threat to themself or others, in a process with robust due process protections. The judge can then issue an order that temporarily removes any guns until the crisis has subsided or the order expires.

I staunchly support this bipartisan framework, not only because I am a veteran, but because I’m also a survivor of gun suicide. My fiancé, a Marine Corps veteran and loving man, died by gun suicide in 2013. I cherish any tool we can implement that might prevent another person from feeling the pain and loss that I continue to feel.

To get this framework signed into law, Senator Cornyn needs to know that Texans have his back in this fight. Military veterans, police chiefs, and moms: we all want common sense gun safety and mental health legislation to keep us safe.

As someone who defended the constitution in combat and who supports the right to responsibly bear arms, I am here to remind Senator Cornyn and fellow Texans that all of the provisions in this common-sense, bipartisan gun safety framework need to become law.

Contact Senator Cornyn’s office today to tell him how proud you are that Texas is leading the way on these negotiations. Remind him that it was here in Texas that 19 children and 2 adults were killed just a few weeks ago. Demand that he and the rest of the Senate don’t look away from our gun violence crisis.

The provisions in this bill will not strip any responsible gun owners of their constitutional rights. It’s why this framework is supported by veterans and survivors like me. And it’s why it must also be supported by Texans and made into law under the leadership of Senator Cornyn.

Schleuning is a U.S. Army combat veteran and expert on mental health and suicide prevention. She is the Chief Design Officer at Wondros and former executive director for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Innovation. She lives in Austin with her family.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Opinion: Sen. Cornyn, close the gun loophole as part of bipartisan deal