As the country mourns the mass shooting at a Uvalde, Texas elementary school, Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, stated Congress is holding “serious” bipartisan discussions on legislation to prevent gun violence.
Murphy commented on Sunday that Democrats and Republicans are seeking to come to a compromise on a number of potential legislative issues.
Some of these issues include bolstering the system that checks the background of gun purchasers, providing resources for mental health, and allocating security dollars to schools.
Serious Senate bipartisan talks on gun control are underway, Dem says https://t.co/hhR89RlvzH via @nypost
— Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) May 29, 2022
New Measures and Initiatives
“The topic at hand is legislation pertaining to red flag laws. We are discussing enhancing and expanding the existing system of background checks, if not going as far as to implement universal background checks.”
“We are discussing the need for secure storage. Yes, we are also discussing the availability of more funds for school security, as well as mental health services.”
“A proposal that, when everything is said and done, has the potential to exert a tremendous amount of downward pressure on the rate of gun violence in this nation.”
Jonathan Karl from ABC News was informed of this by Murphy.
“Perhaps that is the most important thing we could do, show that progress is achievable and the sky will not fall for Republicans if they back some of these basic policies,” the lawmaker said.
In addition to other Democrats and Republicans, discussions took place over the weekend with Senator John Cornyn (R-TX). Murphy said it is likely these talks will go on until the beginning of the following week.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer selected Murphy and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to represent Democrats in discussions.
Both lawmakers were active in efforts to pass background check legislation following previous school shootings. Schumer gave them ten days to negotiate a bipartisan compromise.
On Tuesday, there was a shooting in Uvalde, Texas, which resulted in the deaths of 21 individuals, including 19 children and two teachers.
The shooter, who was 18 years old and killed by police, was said to have legally bought two guns like an AR-15 just a few days after his birthday.
The Democratic Party only cares about shootings if it helps them restrict guns.
Dems run the US murder capitals despite gun control. Radical DAs refuse to charge for serious crimes. Mayors let violent criminals out over Covid. They bailed out BLM rioters.
They are con artists.
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) May 29, 2022
A New Tone
A new vibe among senators, as described by Senator Dick Durbin, is something that might bode well for the passage of gun control legislation, according to Senator Durbin.
On Sunday, Democratic whip Richard Durbin gave an interview to CNN’s Dana Bash in which he stated, “I feel a different feeling amongst my colleagues following Uvalde.”
Murphy made an effort to lower the expectations of Democrats by pointing out there would have to be concessions made in order for any kind of legislation to be passed.
“We have approximately a week before the next session of Congress, during which we need to get this ready for consideration, but I have faith we will be successful,” Murphy stated.
