Widespread gun-control action in states unlikely

IOWA CITY, IOWA » The campaign for tighter gun laws that inspired unprecedented student walkouts across the country faces an uphill climb in a majority of states, the Associated Press found in a review of gun legislation.

The AP survey of bill activity in state legislatures before and after the high school shooting in Parkland, Florida, provides a reality check on the ambitions of the “Enough is Enough” movement. It suggests votes like the one in Florida, where Republican lawmakers defied the National Rifle Association to pass new gun regulations, are unlikely to be repeated in many other states, at least not this year.

The student-led activism might yet lead to reforms in the future. But for now, the gun debate among most lawmakers still falls along predictable and largely partisan lines, with few exceptions, according to the analysis.

Because Congress shows no sign of acting, state legislatures dominate the national debate over guns. And major changes won’t be easy to achieve in statehouses that are mostly controlled by the gun-friendly GOP.

Republicans have sponsored more than 80 percent of bills that would expand gun rights, while Democrats have introduced more than 90 percent of bills to limit them.

The total number of gun-rights and gun- control bills identified by AP statehouse reporters is roughly equal — about 300 in each category.

Many of the Democratic gun- control bills have been introduced in legislatures dominated by Republicans, meaning they have little or no chance of passing.