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Reps. Davis and LaHood vote against limited gun-control bill now headed to the president's desk

Davis and LaHood
Staff
/
WGLT file
U.S. Reps. Darin LaHood, right, and Rodney Davis, whose districts include Bloomington-Normal.

A narrow, bipartisan gun-control bill is headed to President Biden's desk — without the support of the two House Republicans who represent Bloomington-Normal.

The legislation would incentivize states to pass red flag laws and expand background checks for 18- to 21-year-olds, among other measures.

It passed the Senate on Thursday and the House on Friday, with the support of just 14 Republicans, including Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger. Bloomington-Normal's current GOP representatives, Rodney Davis and Darin LaHood, both voted against the bill. They also voted against a much broader gun-control bill two weeks ago, just after the school shooting in Texas.

President Biden is expected to sign the measure, called the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

Davis called it "anti-Second Amendment legislation," and that his experience being targeted at a congressional baseball team practice in 2017 only solidified his support for Second Amendment rights.

"We don’t need more laws and restrictions that make it more difficult for law-abiding, gun-owning citizens to exercise their Constitutional rights and protect their families. We need to support law enforcement and get tough on criminals who steal guns and commit violent crimes, and further improve mental health programs," Davis said. "I’m a proud gun owner, I’m a concealed carry licensee, and strong supporter of our Second Amendment. I always have and always will work to preserve the Second Amendment for law-abiding American citizens."

Davis will not represent Bloomington-Normal after the 2022 election due to redistricting. He's facing a GOP primary later this month.

Ryan Denham is the digital content director for WGLT.
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