Senator Lisa Murkowski signals supports for bipartisan gun control law

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - In response to mass shootings in Buffalo, New York and Uvalde, Texas, the U.S. Senate is working on gun control legislation with the goal of making it acceptable to both Democrats and Republicans in Congress.

The bill now being debated was prepared by 20 Senate bargainers, 10 from each party.

Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski expressed her support for the bill, which is expected to pass in the Senate this week.

Murkowski urges Alaskans to read the bill, saying there has been much misunderstanding of what is in it.

The legislation includes an enhanced background check for those under 21 years old looking to purchase a gun.

It also includes funding to improve safety at schools.

“I think we are so passionate about our Second Amendment rights in the State of Alaska that there is a natural, almost gut-instinct reaction when you hear that something’s going on back in Washington, D.C. relating to guns, ‘It must mean that they’re going after my guns. I have to stop that.’ But I ask Alaskans to look critically at this.”

According to Murkowski, the legislation does not mandate Red Flag laws for states, nor does it incentivize states to adopt them.

If the bill passes in the Senate, it will then go to the House of Representatives, where the current Democratic majority is expected to follow suit.

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