Possession of guns in America .. the Senate passes a law and the Supreme Court repeals restrictions imposed by New York and disappointment in the White House

The US Senate late Thursday passed a modest bipartisan package of gun security measures, even as the Supreme Court expanded gun rights by ruling that citizens have a constitutional right to carry guns in public for defense. about self.

The "historic" court decision and Senate action illustrate the deep division over firearms in the United States, weeks after the two mass shootings in Ovaldi, Texas, and Buffalo, New York, that killed more than 30 people, including 19 children.

In the Senate vote, 15 Republicans joined all 50 Democrats in voting for the bill, as it passed 65 to 33 against.

The new bill is the first significant gun ownership management legislation to be passed in 30 years, in a country with the world's highest rate of gun ownership and the highest number of indiscriminate shootings annually among wealthy nations.

The bill - which its supporters say will save lives - is modest, and one of the most important restrictions it imposes on the possession of weapons is the tightening of checks on the history of those who wish to purchase them from those convicted of domestic violence or major crimes while they are minors, and it gives billions of dollars to fund the mental health and security sector in schools. .

Republicans refused to try to agree on more comprehensive measures such as a ban on assault rifles or high-capacity magazines, which Democrats, including President Joe Biden, had favored.

This law is then scheduled to be presented to the House of Representatives, where the Democrats have a majority, and it is expected to pass despite the Republicans’ intention to oppose it, and after its approval in the House of Representatives, the president will sign it to become a law in force.

Supreme Court decision

The Senate vote comes a few hours after the Supreme Court ruled yesterday that citizens have the right to carry a gun in public places, a historic decision with far-reaching repercussions for states and cities across the country, which is witnessing an escalation of armed violence.

The Supreme Court ruling, which was passed by a conservative majority, overturned New York state's restrictions on carrying concealed pistols in public.

The court held that New York State is in violation of the Constitution when it seeks and attempts to legalize the carrying of firearms in public places, in contravention of the rights granted to persons under the Second Amendment to the Constitution.

In response, state Governor Cathy Hawkell said, "Moments ago, we received disturbing news from Washington, DC, that the Supreme Court withdrew from New York the right to protect its citizens."

As for Vice President Kamala Harris, she said, "I think the court's decision defies the logic of things and the Constitution of the United States. I personally attended the funeral of 19 children and their teacher in Texas."

More than 20,800 people were killed in gun violence in the United States in 2022, including murder and suicide, according to the Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit research group.