Mass Shootings Growing: Assault Weapon Ban & New Background Checks AWOL

Nineteen school children murdered in Uvalde, TX

(Outrage, Thoughts, and Prayers Wearing Thin)

Disappointing story here from NBC News and the main character of the story – Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) – very much disappointed with him and this headline:

“Murphy rules out assault weapons ban, or new background checks in Senate proposal”

Murphy said: “Among the items currently on the table are investments in mental health care and school safety, and modest but impactful changes in gun laws.” 

WASHINGTON — Sen. Murphy, who is helping lead Senate talks on gun control, said lawmakers don’t plan to bring any bill to the floor that would ban assault weapons or include comprehensive background checks but are actively working on legislation that would include a range of other measures. 

Murphy said on CNN’s “State of the Union” show (June 5): “We’re not going to put a piece of legislation on the table that’s going to ban assault weapons, or we’re not going to pass comprehensive background checks. But right now, people in this country want us to make progress. They just don’t want the status quo to continue for another 30 years.”

Murphy said these items on the table: (1) investments in mental health care, (2) school safety, (3) red flag laws, and (4) changes to strengthen the current background check system.

Lawmakers have been meeting regularly to try to hammer out a deal, and Murphy expressed optimism that the two parties could strike an accord, saying: “I’ve never been part of negotiations as serious as these. There are more Republicans at the table talking about changing our gun laws and investing in mental health than at any time since Sandy Hook (December 14, 2012).” 

Murphy said there are other areas that could gather enough bipartisan support. 

Bottom of Form

Democrats and President Biden, are pushing for (1) a ban on the sale of assault weapons, and (2) stronger universal background checks that would cover purchases at gun shows and online.

Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) is one of the nine negotiators working on the proposal, said he was also optimistic that Democrats and Republicans could come together on some measures aimed at: (1) curbing gun violence, which could include (2) expanded background checks, (2) red flag laws (which would allow a family member, a police officer or other authority to petition a court to seize the firearms from someone who poses a danger), and (3) school safety and mental health provisions.

Toomey said on CBS’s “Face the Nation” (June 5): “Half the Republicans in the Senate could get on board with a final bill. It feels to me like we are closer than we’ve been since I’ve been in the Senate.”

My 2 Cents: Right off the top these measures and those missing and off the table, as usual, only appease the GOP and their pals in the NRA and other strong gun advocates and lobbyists – that is not positive action. That are weak tidbits of inaction.

Plus, as I said I am ashamed of Sen. Murphy or any other Democrat with those same views on no ban on AR-15’s and no new stronger national background checks.

The proposals may show bi-partisan action on a bill – but not on this more critical topic right now, and that public safety due to rampant gun sales and mass shootings (e.g., with AR-15’s in particular). 

Sustaining weak gun sale laws with half-ass background checks and loopholes or provisions wherein an 18-year old can buy two AR-15’s in one or two days and go out and inflict cause mass murder makes no sense.

That is not what the vast majority of the country wants: The majority wants to close the loopholes, and put a stop the mass killings that we have seen growing recently. Mass shootings at some other school or public place that takes dozens of lives in just a few minutes. 

Thanks for stopping…