Biden praises Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona for work on landmark gun violence legislation

PHOENIX — President Joe Biden on Monday applauded U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona for her role in crafting a wide-ranging gun violence bill that was signed into law last month.

Biden also gave shout-outs to three others — Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) — for their work on the $13 billion legislation that he signed June 25.

“I also want to thank the bipartisan group of senators that worked so hard to get this done, especially Sens. Murphy, Sinema, Cornyn and Tillis,” Biden said during an event in Washington, D.C., commemorating the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act’s passage.

“Hope I don’t get you in trouble for saying your names. Thank you for your courage.”

Sinema, a Democrat, was key in crafting the bill in the aftermath of mass shootings in Texas and New York.

Three days before the bill was signed, Sinema spoke on the Senate floor, commenting on her commitment to maintaining gun rights while responding appropriately to the recent mass shootings.

The legislation will toughen background checks for the youngest gun buyers, keep firearms from more domestic violence offenders and help states put in place red flag laws that make it easier for authorities to take weapons from people thought to be dangerous.

Congress hadn’t enacted major firearms restrictions in nearly 30 years, but the bill had the support of over 60 senators and passed easily in the Democratic-led House.

“Our bipartisan bill demonstrates the difference that elected leaders can make in the lives of our constituents when we choose to heal our divisions instead of feed those divisions,” Sinema said during her speech on the Senate floor.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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