Which gun control measures are gaining momentum in Congress?
Are specific gun-control measures beginning to build momentum in Congress? Key lawmakers in recent comments have indicated that鈥檚 the case. For instance, Sen. John McCain (R) of Arizona on Sunday said many senators are lining up behind a bipartisan plan whose centerpiece is an expansion of background checks on gun purchasers.
鈥淚 think that most of us will be able to support鈥� that package, said Senator McCain on NBC鈥檚 "Meet the Press."
Background checks have long been seen as a sweet spot in the gun debate that could draw both Republican and Democratic votes, but McCain鈥檚 tacit endorsement is still a 鈥渒ey moment,鈥� writes liberal-leaning Greg Sargent in his .
The bipartisan group that鈥檚 pulling the plan together includes Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, a key pro-gun Democrat, and conservative GOP Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, Mr. Sargent notes. It would include expanded sharing of data on mental illness and likely have some sort of provision ensuring that the checks don鈥檛 lead to a national registry of gun owners.
鈥淗aving Coburn and Manchin bless such a proposal would give it a major boost, even among GOP lawmakers inclined to robotically do whatever the NRA聽[National Rifle Association] tells them to do,鈥� he writes.
This doesn鈥檛 mean the plan is tied up with ribbon and a bow; another member of the bipartisan effort, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D) of New York, added on Sunday that the group has made good progress but still has some hard issues to resolve.
鈥淕uns [are] a very difficult issue,鈥� said Senator Schumer on CNN鈥檚 "State of the Union."
Asked whether a ban on assault weapons would be included in the Senate鈥檚 package, Schumer side-stepped the issue. He noted that Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D) of California has introduced legislation to prohibit such military-style firearms and said that her bill will get a vote on the Senate floor.
鈥淲hether it鈥檚 part of our bill, we鈥檝e been focusing on universal background checks, where I think there鈥檚 a greater chance to come to a bipartisan agreement,鈥� said Schumer.
(Currently, federal law requires background checks only for customers of federally licensed firearm dealers. They aren鈥檛 required for private transactions, many of which occur at gun shows. Some states have more stringent check requirements of their own.)
Another gun provision the Senate might be able to pass is a new federal law against firearms trafficking. In essence, this would give prosecutors another way to go after those who legally purchase guns and then pass them to others who use them to commit crimes.
It鈥檚 also possible the Senate will at least seriously consider proposals to ban high-capacity ammunition magazines, as well. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D) of New Jersey has introduced legislation that would ban any magazine that holds more than 10 rounds.
鈥淭here is no place in our communities for military-style supersized magazines like those used inside Sandy Hook Elementary School, in Aurora, and in Tucson,鈥� said Senator Lautenberg last month when .
It鈥檚 important to remember that the Senate is but the first hurdle for any new gun curbs. They鈥檇 have to pass the GOP-controlled House, as well, where it鈥檚 less clear there鈥檚 any consensus for new measures.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D) of Vermont, a key player in the issue on the Senate side, said over the weekend that it is his understanding that the House will just wait to see what the Senate does, and then decide upon its plan of action.
鈥淭hey feel if we鈥檙e able to do something there might be a chance. If we鈥檙e unable, frankly, they鈥檙e not going to try anything at all. I think that鈥檚 a political reality,鈥� Senator Leahy told 聽on Saturday.
