Montgomery County Council President Gabe Albornoz expressed “cautious optimism” Monday following the announcement of a framework for a bipartisan deal on gun safety.
“Today, we are announcing a commonsense, bipartisan proposal to protect America’s children, keep our schools safe, and reduce the threat of violence across our country,” a bipartisan group of 20 senators — 10 Democrats and 10 Republicans— said in a joint statement Sunday. “Families are scared, and it is our duty to come together and get something done that will help restore their sense of safety and security in their communities.”
The proposed plan increases mental health services, improves school safety and support for students, and ensures dangerous criminals and those who are adjudicated as mentally ill can’t purchase weapons, according to the statement.
On May 26, the Montgomery County Council unanimously approved a $6.3 Fiscal Year 2023 operating budget, which includes an allocation of $6 million to expand wellness programs at every high school in the county. Albornoz said at a press briefing Monday that he hopes the county will be in a better position with the proposed bipartisan deal to better support students with mental health services. However, he added “there is just not enough behavioral health specialists to fill all these positions, even if we had all the money in the world.”
“Drafting this law and passing it through both chambers will not be easy. We have a long way before this gets to the President’s desk,” Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said in a tweet. “This time, failure cannot be an option.”
