Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut are moving forward as they work out details of the revised “red flag” legislation that they both hope can get enough GOP support to overcome a blockage. Senate, according to four people familiar with the discussions who were not allowed to speak publicly.
Graham and Blumenthal later confirmed in statements to CBS News that their discussions are moving forward.
In recent days, the two have had frequent phone calls and have been working closely together to revise a “red flag” bill they co-sponsored in 2019, doing reviews they believe may allow for a similar, tight proposal to get a broad support for the split Senate, all four told CBS News.
At this stage, its updated proposal would focus on establishing federal subsidies for states to create or enforce “red flag” laws. A “red flag” law, in most cases across the country, allows police officers to temporarily confiscate firearms from individuals who are considered a threat to themselves or others, if gives a court order to do so.
The remaining challenge for Graham and Blumenthal is to draft legislative language on due process and judicial review that does not alienate cautious Republicans, while not seeming to soften the initial bill too much and frustrate Democrats.
One person familiar with the discussions said Graham and Blumenthal are working on provisions that would be acceptable to both parties, especially regarding the timeframe between a court order motivated by “extreme risk” evidence and a hearing. The scope and type of evidence required is also discussed.
In the past, the National Rifle Association has not strongly opposed the suggestion of “red flag” laws, but remains largely opposed to any new arms restrictions.
However, people said that both men believe that their efforts in “red flag” laws and their first step towards consensus could emerge as a key part of a possible final legislative product of the bipartisan talks. on weapons led by Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy. , Connecticut, and Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas.
Conversations led by Murphy and Cornyn began after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, which killed 19 children and two adults.
“Lindsey and Richard understand each other and talk to outside groups about what they’re doing,” one person said. “They were on the phone all weekend and brought some people.”
A second person familiar with the discussions said the “trust” between Graham and Blumenthal was useful, but did not indicate that a 60-vote consensus was in sight at the time, either in red-flag legislation or in other areas. The person pointed to Cornyn as the key senator to watch on the GOP side.
Graham and Cornyn are widely regarded by colleagues as the longtime allies of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, the longtime Republican leader.
Currently, 19 states empower a judge to remove a firearm from anyone who poses an extreme risk to others or to themselves. In Connecticut, for every 10 to 20 guns removed, one life is saved, according to a study. In California, there have been at least 21 cases where a “red flag” law disarmed people by threatening mass shootings.
On Tuesday, Blumenthal declined to discuss the deliberations or details of his discussions with Graham. But in a statement to CBS News, Blumenthal said, “Lindsey has been working very hard and in good faith, and we’re moving forward.”
Graham also refused to talk about his private exchanges with Blumenthal and others. But he has confirmed that progress is being made.
Cornyn and Murphy, as well as Arizona Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis met for Zoom to discuss possible gun legislation Tuesday.
In a statement after the meeting, Cornyn said: “Senators Murphy, Sinema, Tillis and I had a very constructive conversation about the best response to the horrific events in Uvalde last week. We asked our staff to keep working. together to address some of the details we hope to discuss at some point soon. ”
On Sunday’s CBS News “Face the Nation,” Murphy, whose hometown was hit by the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre a decade ago, said he knows Republicans won’t support everything he does. But “red flag laws are on the table,” in addition to expanding background checks and other efforts such as secure storage of weapons.
“Red flag” laws have long been seen by advocates of changes to gun laws as the most viable option in a deeply divided Washington.
“Red flag laws reduce the risk of armed violence,” Dr. Celine Gounder, general public health editor for Kaiser Health News, told CBS News. “It may not work 100% of the time, but if you can save even a portion of those lives, this has had a real impact.”
Contributed by Adriana Diaz, Alicia Hastey, Rebecca Kaplan, Kathryn Watson and Andy Wolff.
School shooting in Uvalde, Texas
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Robert Costa is the main election and campaign correspondent for CBS News based in Washington, DC