At the initiative of the Democrats, the package was not put to the vote in one go, but the delegates had to vote on each measure individually. The Democrats wanted to determine exactly which Republican MPs supported which measures or not. In the end, the entire package was passed by 223 to 204 votes. Two Democrats were also among those who voted against. Five Republicans, on the other hand, supported the stricter measures.
Now that the package has passed the House of Representatives, the Senate must also vote on it. It is expected that the Democrats will not be able to find sufficient support there. Senators from both parties are currently negotiating proposals that go much less far, but can count on more support as a result.
Hours before the vote, a survivor and some relatives of the shooting at a primary school in Uvalde had told the House about what they experienced. In emotional pleas, they called for stricter gun laws. Nineteen students and two teachers were killed in the shooting last month. The 18-year-old gunman had legally purchased his weapons shortly after his birthday.
On Thursday, the House of Representatives will vote on a law that broadens the possibilities to deny a firearms license to people who may be a danger to themselves or their environment.