Rifle control groups focus all efforts on the Senate

Rifle control groups are now focusing all their efforts on lobbying the Senate following the adoption of two major House bills last week that received some GOP support.

Senate Majority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerCuomo biographer: ‘predatory behavior’ has been ‘clear’ for years’ Legislators call for action on the first anniversary of the deaths of Breonna Taylor, Schumer, and Gillibrand call on Cuomo to resign more (DN.Y.) promises swift action on the legislation – to strengthen background checks and close the so-called Charleston loophole – but advocates face a well-known uphill battle to win enough Republicans.

Proponents are nonetheless optimistic that a Democratic Senate, combined with an ally in the Oval Office and a weakened National Rifle Association (NRA), will help pass gun control legislation for the first time in decades.

“We have a slim majority against gun violence prevention, but we have the majority, of which we include eight Republicans,” said Brian Lemek, executive director of Brady PAC.

Eight IDP lawmakers voted last week for the background legislation that requires unlicensed or private sellers to do a check before handing over a firearm.

Schumer on Thursday promised to bring the bill, known as HR 8, to the Senate floor, though he did not set the timing.

“The legislative cemetery is over,” he told reporters. “HR 8 will be on the floor of the Senate, and we will see where everyone stands.”

The Senate is expected to pass the two bills passed by the House separately. The benchmark for background checks received the most support from Republicans in the House.

The other measure would extend the time federal investigators have to conduct background checks from three days to ten days. Two House Republicans voted in favor.

Each bill would require 60 votes to get through the Senate, meaning ten Republicans would have to cross the aisle to overcome a legislative filibuster.

Some Senate Democrats say they are already in talks with Republicans.

“I talk to senators across the aisle, but the difference between the survivors, students and family members who made this issue a movement is the difference,” Sen said. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) Told The. Hill on his plan to get Republican support.

‘The strongest proponents of change are people who have personal stories to tell about how a background study could save someone they loved. This is what my Republican colleagues have to answer, ‘he adds.

The deteriorating state of the NRA also contributes to optimism for gun control advocates.

The once powerful lobbying group for guns filed for bankruptcy and announced in January that it would reopen in Texas and leave New York. It also faces a civil lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James (D).

White House Press Secretary Jen PsakiJen Psaki administration by sending FEMA to the border amid the influx of migrant children. Five things that need to happen to face vaccinated people in the White House is the challenge of delaying GOP vaccine MORE Said Friday President BidenJoe BidenPompeo: The re-entry of Iran deal will make the Middle East ‘less safe’ for DNC to push mid-term. Biden struggles to unravel the web of Trump immigration rules more “Of course, they will talk to leaders and members of Congress about how to proceed with weapons security measures,” adding that this is a priority.

A day earlier, Psaki said Biden was “personally committed” to addressing violence when asked if he thought the Senate could pass the two bills.

‘I expect him to look at opportunities to get involved and advocate why these are not political issues; “These are sensible efforts to keep our children safe, to keep our country safe and, you know, to ensure that we, you know, reduce gun violence in the country,” she said.

Advocacy groups such as Everytown, March for Our Lives, Brady, Moms Demand Action and Sandy Hook Promise say they are encouraged by Biden’s commitment to tackle gun control.

White House Director of the Office of Public Involvement Cedric RichmondCedric RichmondPadilla has ‘big Chuck Taylors to fill’ as replacement for Harris Bottom line Biden promises action against guns amid resistance MORE told advocates last week that the government wants to see the two bills reach Biden’s desk.

“HR 8 is important to us, Charleston gap is important to us. We are looking forward to signing it, we are looking forward to getting involved to make sure we can sign it, ”he said.

The shooter at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC, in 2015, a self-described white supremaker who killed nine black church members, was able to legally buy a weapon, despite an arrest on his record, which did not appear in his background test . during the three-day waiting period.

Lawyers held a virtual march on Thursday in hopes it would build momentum for legislation passed by the House in the Senate. Sen. Chris MurphyChristopher (Chris) Scott MurphySunday shows preview: Democrats declare victory over COVID-19 stimulus; Vaccination efforts offer hope for summer Schumer promises prompt Senate action on home gun reform Democrats close to pressure point over nixing filibuster MORE (D-Conn.), Wie writing the Senate version of HR 8, moderated the event.

‘It is now the task of bringing this bill to the Senate and getting it done. [Senate Minority Leader] Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellGOP continues to attack Biden bill. Pentagon takes heat for extending Guard’s time at Capitol Fundraising peaks to Trump GOP gaps MORE [R-Ky.] would not bring any anti-gun legislation to the Senate for the past five years, ”Murphy said.

The Democratic-led House had earlier passed the background bill and Charleston bills in February 2019, but they never got a vote in the GOP-controlled Senate.

Years earlier, in 2013, the Senate enacted legislation on dual background testing sponsored by Sens. Joe ManchinJoe Manchin Why Republicans Couldn’t Kill Biden’s Enlightenment Bill Preview: Democrats Declare Victory on COVID-19 Stimulus; Vaccination efforts offer hope for summer The Hill’s 12:30 Report – Presented by Johns Hopkins University – Biden gives optimistic tone for summer MORE (DW.Va.) and Pat ToomeyPatrick (Pat) Joseph Toomey Sasse reprimanded by Nebraska Republican Party over accusation vote Philly GOP commissioner on censorship: ‘I would suggest that they disapprove of Republican elected officials lying’ Toomey is voiced by several GOP committees in Pennsylvania over voting rights more (R-Pa.), Just months later the shooting in 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Murphy’s home state.

But the measure fell just a few votes short of the 60-vote threshold needed to advance.

If the version passed through the House comes to the Senate floor, it could lose at least one Republican who was previously supportive.

Toomey’s office said last week that although it still supports the provisions in the 2013 measure, the recent House-successful legislation is not targeted enough to win his vote.