NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The specifics of the Senate deal on gun control legislation that is being reported are not yet in legislative language, but Kansas First District Congressman Tracey Mann voted against a bill earlier this month and will be watching what changes there are closely.
"We cannot go and take people's Second Amendment rights away for law abiding citizens who have done nothing wrong," Mann said. "I voted no to the package last week. A handful of negotiators are on the Senate side saying they have come up with a framework. Until you see the text and really know what's in it, it's really hard to comment."
The proposal is said to include initiatives to support state crisis intervention orders along with a national expansion of mental health services for children and families, also expanding mental health programs in schools, creating an enhanced review process for gun buyers under the age of 21 increasing penalties for straw purchases and providing additional funding for school resource officers.
"The Senate will have to work it," Mann said. "It often takes them longer, just how their rules and floor time is set up. We'll see what they do with that this week. If that gets turned into a bill and is considered, then we'll see if it gets kicked back to the House side of the legislature here next week, or sometime later this summer."
The details and how much restriction it does or does not put on those who have not committed a crime will be key in whether anything can gain bipartisan support.