House Republicans urge vote against Senate gun reform compromise, citing NRA opposition

A convention goer passes the NRA desk at the 2015 NRA Annual Convention. KAREN BLEIER/AFP via Getty Images

• House Republican leaders are urging a vote against the Senate gun reform compromise.
• In a message to lawmakers, Rep. Steve Scalise cites opposition from the NRA.
• The Senate bill would restrict gun sales to domestic abusers and increase mental health funding.

House Republican leadership is urging GOP lawmakers to vote against a bipartisan Senate gun reform bill, citing opposition from the NRA.

"Leadership recommends a NO vote," states a message from Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana that was sent to lawmakers Wednesday evening. The message claims the Senate bill, which passed Tuesday with the support of 14 Republicans, is part of an effort to "slowly chip away at law-abiding citizens' 2nd Amendment rights."

The Senate bill — supported by Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky — includes increased funding for mental health services and the state-level enforcement of "red flag" laws that allow police to temporarily remove firearms from someone believed to present an imminent threat. The measure would also close the so-called "boyfriend loophole," prohibiting convicted domestic abusers from obtaining guns.

"Our colleagues have put together a commonsense package of popular steps that will help make these horrifying incidents less likely while fully upholding the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens," said McConnell in a statement on Tuesday.

But in their message of opposition, House Republican leaders claimed the bill "fails to provide explicit due process requirements" for red-flag gun seizures and includes unnecessary funding. In addition to gun manufacturers, House Republicans cite opposition from conservative groups such as Gun Owners of America and Heritage Action for America.

Despite the Republican stance, the bill is expected to pass the Democratic-controlled House and be signed into law by President Joe Biden.