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Democrats Willing To Rein In Gun Control To Break The NRA


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https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/paulmcleod/gun-control-senate-democrats-plan-atlanta

 

Democrats Are Willing To Rein In Their Gun Control Ambitions To Break The NRA’s Hold On Congress


Paul McLeod
BuzzFeed News Reporter
Reporting From
Washington, DC

Posted on March 19, 2021, at 2:37 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats have told BuzzFeed News they are considering curtailing their ambitions on gun reform and pushing a narrower piece of legislation that can actually pass, rather than sweeping reforms that would likely be doomed.

The party winning both chambers of Congress plus the White House may have raised hopes for long-sought gun control measures, such as a ban on assault rifles. But Democrats are instead starting to look at smaller measures that can win bipartisan support and break the National Rifle Association’s strong influence over Congress.

With the Senate split 50–50, any gun control measure needs at least 10 Republican votes to overcome a filibuster. ...

That leaves Democrats with a choice between lowering their aims or fighting for an extensive bill and risking coming away with nothing. There does not appear to be much appetite for the latter path.

“Do you try and move a comprehensive gun bill that will go nowhere?” said Delaware Sen. Chris Coons. “Or do you take a small bill, pass it, then a medium-sized bill and pass it?”

It’s been almost three decades since Congress last passed a meaningful gun control bill in 1994, when they banned assault weapons for a decade. Democrats want to break that streak.

“I want to see us take real, concrete steps on gun safety. We don’t have to do every single thing at once. We could just take a bite, enough to show that the NRA does not have the entire Congress by the throat,” said Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

This approach could put the Senate at odds with the Democrat-controlled House, which just passed two bills to strengthen background checks and require them for nearly all gun purchases. One compromise being considered is a previous bill from Sens. Joe Manchin and Pat Toomey to expand background checks to sales at gun shows and online, but not when individuals sell or give firearms to friends or family.

Options like an assault rifle ban are likely off the table. But some Democrats think they could get to 60 votes with a limited background check expansion paired with other more narrow measures, such as expanding extreme risk protection orders, which let police preemptively seize guns from people deemed to be dangerous.

“My preference would be to do something like background checks just to show that we can,” said Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine. “The NRA kind of walks around like they own Congress. I would say, rather than wait for a comprehensive bill, why not do something?”
...

Expanding background checks for firearm purchases will almost certainly be the top priority. While universal background checks are overwhelmingly popular among both Democrats and the general public, Republican lawmakers have blocked expansions at every turn. There is no sign those attitudes are changing. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio argued this week that background check laws won’t protect people because “most of these mass shootings, if not all of them,” are done by people who would be able to pass background checks.
...

“If people want to try to limit the rights of law-abiding citizens under the Second Amendment, they’re going to run into a brick wall on our side,” said Sen. John Cornyn, also of Texas.

But Cornyn also represents the opportunity Democrats have to get something — anything — into law. Cornyn is one of several Republicans who have waded into the gun control discussion in the wake of deadly tragedies, often in their home states. After shootings in El Paso and Midland-Odessa, Cornyn introduced legislation attempting to crack down on unlicensed gun sellers.

Similarly, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham embraced extreme risk protection orders after the Charleston church shooting. Sen. Marco Rubio proposed his own extreme risk protection order bill after the 2018 school shooting in Parkland, Florida. Sen. Pat Toomey first introduced his background check bill with Sen. Joe Manchin after the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
...

No action is expected imminently. Multiple Democrats said they expect a gun control bill to hit the floor sometime this year, but those talks are just beginning.
...

 

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"It’s been almost three decades since Congress last passed a meaningful gun control bill in 1994...."

 

IOW, it's been almost three decades since they last abused (meaningfully, in Mr. McLeod's view) law abiding Americans exercising their gun rights.

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they are considering curtailing their ambitions on gun reform and pushing a narrower piece of legislation that can actually pass, rather than sweeping reforms that would likely be doomed.

 

Proof the Democrats know the NRA will cave in and let our rights be chipped away slowly with 'compromises' that are not actually 'comprmises' at all, but instead just chipping away at the rights! A compromise means both sides get something they wanted, when is the last time the pro 2ns crowd actually gained something they wanted that wasn't because of a court order?

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The D's know exactly what most logical gun owners know.... the NRA is useless... they are just a money making racket...... take the names off the top of the paper describing the organizations and you couldnt tell the difference between the NRA and most labor unions........ the only difference is in the results, the unions actually achieve something for their members

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Because of the NRA the government has not taken all our guns including shotguns, the weapon used at Columbine school.

 

There is a natural rule of order, in that a vacuum will be filled, it's a fallacy to believe that if the NRA didn't exist or vanished today nothing would fill the void and replace them.

 

The NRA simply won't seen a penny from my until they gut themselves and reboot from the ground up, my donations will go to other organizations that I feel better align with my values.

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