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| US gun laws: House votes to loosen background checks rules | US gun laws: House votes to loosen background checks rules |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| The US House of Representatives has voted to scrap regulations that require background checks for gun buyers with mental health issues. | |
| The checks, introduced under the Obama administration, are believed to affect an estimated 75,000 people. | The checks, introduced under the Obama administration, are believed to affect an estimated 75,000 people. |
| The bill now needs to the approved by the Senate and signed into law by President Donald Trump. | The bill now needs to the approved by the Senate and signed into law by President Donald Trump. |
| The House also voted on Thursday on Obama-era rules and regulations on the environment. | The House also voted on Thursday on Obama-era rules and regulations on the environment. |
| The background-check rules were introduced to provide information on the gun-buying history of people receiving benefits for mental disability. | The background-check rules were introduced to provide information on the gun-buying history of people receiving benefits for mental disability. |
| But Republican lawmakers argued that the regulation reinforced negative stereotypes that people with mental disorders are dangerous. | But Republican lawmakers argued that the regulation reinforced negative stereotypes that people with mental disorders are dangerous. |
| "There is no evidence suggesting that those receiving disability benefits from the Social Security Administration are a threat to public safety," said Congressman Bob Goodlatte. | "There is no evidence suggesting that those receiving disability benefits from the Social Security Administration are a threat to public safety," said Congressman Bob Goodlatte. |
| "Once an unelected bureaucrat unfairly adds these folks to the federal background check system, they are no longer able to exercise their Second Amendment right," he added. | "Once an unelected bureaucrat unfairly adds these folks to the federal background check system, they are no longer able to exercise their Second Amendment right," he added. |
| The House voted 235 to 180 in favour of abandoning the rule. | The House voted 235 to 180 in favour of abandoning the rule. |
| Barack Obama has previously told the BBC that the failure to tackle gun control had been the greatest frustration of his presidency. | Barack Obama has previously told the BBC that the failure to tackle gun control had been the greatest frustration of his presidency. |
| Read more | Read more |
| Separately, the Senate gave final approval to a measure eliminating a rule that prevents coal mining debris from being dumped into streams. Mr Trump is expected to sign the move. | Separately, the Senate gave final approval to a measure eliminating a rule that prevents coal mining debris from being dumped into streams. Mr Trump is expected to sign the move. |
| Republicans argued that the coal mining rule threatens thousands of jobs and that other industry regulations were already in place. | Republicans argued that the coal mining rule threatens thousands of jobs and that other industry regulations were already in place. |
| Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell described the law as "an attack against coal miners and their families". | Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell described the law as "an attack against coal miners and their families". |
| The interior department said the rule, announced in the final days of Barack Obama's presidency in December, was aimed at protecting 6,000 miles (10,000km) of streams. | The interior department said the rule, announced in the final days of Barack Obama's presidency in December, was aimed at protecting 6,000 miles (10,000km) of streams. |
| Democrats said Thursday's vote was an attack on clean water and a clear win for large coal mining companies. | Democrats said Thursday's vote was an attack on clean water and a clear win for large coal mining companies. |
| Republicans are expected to take a series of actions in the coming weeks to reverse years of what they consider to be excessive regulation under Mr Obama. | Republicans are expected to take a series of actions in the coming weeks to reverse years of what they consider to be excessive regulation under Mr Obama. |
| Rules on fracking are also being scrutinised along with a number of other regulations introduced during Mr Obama's final months in office. | Rules on fracking are also being scrutinised along with a number of other regulations introduced during Mr Obama's final months in office. |