Bill would aim at illegal gun sellers

GOP co-sponsors are unsure if Senate will vote on measure

WASHINGTON — The federal government would crack down on illegal firearms dealers under new legislation aimed at preventing mass shootings.

Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, is leading the drive to have Washington investigate and prosecute illegal firearm dealers, make available more mental health resources for people at risk of harming themselves or others and push social media sites to share harmful threats made on their platforms with law enforcement.

Cornyn said he decided to introduce the bill in response to four recent mass shootings in Texas, including the El Paso and Odessa shootings in August.

Prospects for passage are uncertain. When asked Wednesday if Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell would put any gun-related bill to a Senate vote without President Donald Trump’s approval, Sen Rick Scott, a Florida Republican, just shook his head.

However, Sen. Tim Scott, a South Carolina Republican who co-sponsored Cornyn’s bill, said, “I think (the bill) has a shot … but I don’t have a crystal ball.”

Democrats were wary. Sen. Mazie Hirono from Hawaii, said that no gunrelated bill, including one already passed by the House, will be put to a vote without McConnell’s approval.

Cornyn’s bill would create a nationwide task force that would investigate and prosecute illegal gun sellers. The task force would also prioritize investigating gun buyers who provide false statements for background checks.

Currently, firearms sold by private sellers by gun shows are not subject to background checks.

Another provision in Cornyn’s bill would prompt online platforms to share posts that contain threats of mass violence or domestic terrorism with local law enforcement.

The bill would also increase the availability of mental health resources for individuals who may be thinking about harming themselves or others by expanding Assisted Outpatient Treatment Programs, which are programs that commit people to institutionalized mental health treatments.

The bill, named the RESPONSE Act, is cosponsored by five other Republican senators.