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It’s hard for Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) To express too much hope that this time, after another Mass shootings in the country, things will be different when it comes to passing legislation in Congress to address armed violence.
But on Sunday he left room for some optimism, saying he was in talks with more GOP colleagues than ever before.
Murphy was in charge in 2012 when a gunman killed 20 students and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in his home state. And he was in Congress Tuesday when a gunman opened fire on Robb d’Uvalde Elementary School, Tex., Killing 19 students and two teachers, the deadliest shooting at the school since Sandy Hook.
In response to the mass shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde, Texas, state and federal lawmakers on May 29 discussed the future of gun laws. (Video: The Washington Post)
In the years since Sandy Hook, there has been a lot of discussion in Washington, but no significant federal legislation has been passed to tighten gun laws, Murphy said Sunday.
“But there are more Republicans interested in talking about finding a way forward this time than I’ve ever seen since Sandy Hook,” Murphy told ABC’s “This Week.”
“And while I may end up with a broken heart, I’m on the table more significantly right now with Republicans and Democrats than ever before, certainly with many more Republicans willing to talk right now than after Sandy. “Hook,” he said.
Other Democratic lawmakers also echoed hopes that some gun control legislation could now be drafted, though most Republican members of Congress have shown little evidence that they are willing to support more control. strict control of weapons.
The day after the shooting, Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (DN.Y.) begged his GOP colleagues to consider a bill that would strengthen background checks on those who want to. buy weapons.
“My fellow Republicans, imagine if it happened to you. Imagine if this was your child or your grandchild. How would you feel? “Schumer said Wednesday.
Schumer appealed to only 10 Republicans to “stand up to history and shout father!” He then acknowledged the “reality” that most would not. The Senate went into recess without passing any gun legislation.
But on Thursday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) Replaced Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) To negotiate with Democrats over gun legislation. Those bipartisan talks, which have continued throughout the holiday weekend, even though the Senate is in recess, have been “encouraging,” Murphy said.
“These are serious negotiations, and we will continue to meet until early next week to try to find a common ground,” Murphy said, adding that the ban on assault weapons and universal background checks it might not be realistic, though he wholeheartedly supports them.
MURPHY: “I don’t want to exaggerate my optimism. reach this agreement “. pic.twitter.com/2eRTTlKJTS
– Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) May 26, 2022
“But what we are talking about is not to be underestimated,” he added. “We’re talking about red flag laws. We’re talking about strengthening and expanding the background check system, if not universal background check. We’re talking about secure storage.”
He reiterated his optimism, saying that simply breaking this deadlock could be the most important step the bipartisan group could take.
That “would only show that progress is possible and that the sky doesn’t fall for Republicans if they support some of these common sense measures,” Murphy said.
Still, most Republicans have shown a reluctance to allow any restrictions on gun ownership.
In Fox News Sunday, Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Wing), who is running in the Senate, said he would not support any changes to gun laws currently in the books, saying that “rights were required.” of the Second Amendment not infringed “. in case the citizens needed to “get our government back”.
McConnell’s decades-long effort to block gun control
NRA-backed spokesman Chris Jacobs (RNY) broke with the GOP last week and said he would now support a ban on assault weapons, magazine capability limits, increased age to be able to buy weapons from 18 to 21 years and other weapon restrictions. Recent shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde have forced him to reevaluate his position on guns, Jacobs told Buffalo News.
Deputy Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), Whose NRA rating went from “A” to “F” after calling for a ban on rejection actions following a mass shooting at a festival of Las Vegas music, criticized the NRA on Sunday. as a “scam scam.”
Kinzinger said raising the age for buying weapons at 21 is “a no-brainer” and said he was open to regulations or even a ban on AR-15s. In Buffalo on Saturday, Vice President Harris called for a ban on assault weapons.
“I think if there’s one way to do that when it comes to AR, you know, if there’s a special license, you need to have one,” Kinzinger said. “I’m definitely ready to take part in this conversation. And maybe that finally includes not selling them anymore. It’s okay, because for me, again, I’m focused on saving lives now.”
Presiding over a Senate Judiciary hearing on Wednesday, Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) Called for a vote on background check legislation after the Senate returned from its Memorial Day recess.
“We have to vote,” he said. “That’s why we were chosen.”
During CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday, Durbin said he was not sure the Uvalde tragedy would move Republicans enough to show “political courage in a very difficult situation.”
“I can’t say for sure, but I can tell you that I notice a different feeling among my colleagues after Uvalde,” Durbin said. “Of course, 10 years ago, it was Sandy Hook and Parkland, and many other cases.”
He added that the stories coming out of Uvalde could force lawmakers “to imagine your own children or grandchildren captive to this madman as he kills them one by one at this school and realize it’s time to do something.”
Mike DeBonis and Steven Zeitchik contributed to this report.