Senators say agreement on gun violence compromise is at hand
WASHINGTON — Senate bargainers reached agreement on a bipartisan gun violence bill, teeing up on a package that would stand as Congress’ response to mass shootings in Texas and New York.
The legislation would toughen background checks for the youngest firearms buyers, require more sellers to conduct background checks and beef up penalties on gun traffickers. It would disburse money to states and communities aimed at improving school safety and mental health initiatives.
The bill would prohibit romantic partners convicted of domestic violence and not married to their victim from getting firearms. It would provide money to the 19 states and the District of Columbia that have “red flag” laws that make it easier to temporarily take firearms from people adjudged dangerous, and to other states that have violence prevention programs.
The legislation lacks the proposals that Democrats have pushed for years without success. These include banning assault-type weapons or raising the minimum age for buying them, prohibiting high-capacity magazines and requiring background checks for virtually all gun sales.
Yet if enacted, the agreement would spotlight a modest but telling shift on an issue that has defied compromise since Bill Clinton was president.
After 10 Black shoppers were killed in Buffalo, N.Y., and 19 children and two teachers died in Uvalde, Texas, Democrats and some Republicans decided measured steps were needed.
Sens. Chris Murphy, DConn., said that after the Buffalo and Uvalde slayings, “I saw a level of fear on the faces of the parents and the children that I spoke to that I’ve never seen before.”
This bill, Mr. Murphy said, was a partisan breakthrough that would “save thousands of lives.” Before entering the Senate, his House district included Newtown, Conn., where 20 children and six staff members perished in a 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said his chamber would begin debating the measure right away. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell called it “a commonsense package of popular steps that will help make these horrifying incidents less likely while fully upholding the Second-Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.”
The National Rifle Association said it opposed the measure. “It does little to truly address violent crime while opening the door to unnecessary burdens on the exercise of Second Amendment freedom by law-abiding gun owners,” the gun lobby group said.
It seemed likely a majority of Republicans — especially in the House — would oppose the legislation. Underscoring the backlash GOP lawmakers supporting the pact would face, delegates booed Sen. John Cornyn of Texas at his state’s Republican convention as he described it.
The measure will need at least 10 GOP votes to reach the 60-vote threshold major bills often need in the 50-50 Senate. Ten Republican senators joined with 10 Democrats in backing the framework, and Mr. Cornyn told reporters that “I think there will be at least” 10 GOP votes.
Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey is one of the 10 key Republican supporters of the legislation.
Mr. Toomey said “This bipartisan gun safety bill protects the Second Amendment rights of lawabiding citizens while taking steps to make our communities safer.”