South Gwinnett News

Representative Lucy McBath from Georgia has reintroduced the Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion (GOSAFE) Act. This legislation aims to protect communities from gun violence while upholding Americans’ right to own firearms for self-defense, hunting, and sporting purposes. The bill focuses on the regulation of firearms based on their operational mechanisms, avoiding alterations manufacturers can make to cosmetic features.

"I came to Congress because of a promise I made to my late son Jordan—that I would take action in honor of victims of gun violence to prevent more families from experiencing the same tragic loss that I have," McBath said. She added that the GOSAFE Act is part of a broader legislative approach aimed at preventing lethal weapons from reaching those who should not have them, yet respecting constitutional rights.

In the Senate, the GOSAFE Act is championed by Senators Martin Heinrich, Angus King, Mark Kelly, and Michael Bennet. Senator Heinrich emphasized the urgency of legislative action, stating, "For too long, Congress has failed to stem the onslaught of mass shootings. Our work in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act was critically important, but more must be done."

Senator King described the bill as an opportunity to protect communities, noting, "By limiting capacity and requiring fixed magazines, there's an opportunity for people to escape and room to disarm the shooter — helping to prevent mass tragedies like we suffered in Lewiston in future towns and communities."

Senator Kelly, who has personal experience with gun violence, remarked, "As a gun owner and a combat veteran, but also the husband of a gun violence survivor, I know firsthand the damage these weapons can cause when they end up in the wrong hands."

Senator Bennet, representing Colorado, added, "For more than two decades, Colorado has grieved one incident of senseless gun violence after another. This common-sense gun safety bill will keep weapons of war out of the hands of the wrong people while respecting responsible gun owners."

The legislation, co-sponsored by Senators Tim Kaine, Tammy Duckworth, Sheldon Whitehouse, Jeanne Shaheen, Alex Padilla, Chris Van Hollen, John Fetterman, Ed Markey, Ron Wyden, and Mazie Hirono, aims to regulate the sale, transfer, and manufacture of gas-operated semi-automatic firearms. The bill proposes to establish a list of prohibited firearms, prevent unauthorized modifications, mandate approval of new designs before manufacture, and ban machinegun conversion devices.

The act also intends to limit the use of high-capacity ammunition devices and includes provisions for a voluntary buy-back program for owners to surrender non-transferrable firearms and magazines in exchange for compensation. The initiative seeks to prevent stockpiling while preserving the value of firearms owned by individuals before the legislation's enactment.

Further endorsements and the full text of the GOSAFE Act are available for review.