(AP) WASHINGTON — Mitch McConnell, the Senate Minority Leader, revealed his support for an emerging bipartisan gun accord in his chamber on Tuesday, bolstering hopes for small but significant election-year action by Congress on a topic that has vexed politicians for three decades.
The Kentucky Republican expressed optimism that the outline of the agreement, which was released by ten Democrats and ten Republicans on Sunday, will be turned into legislation and adopted. McConnell's support was the latest sign that last month's gun atrocities in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas, had shifted some Republicans' political calculus after years of adamant opposition to even modest guns restrictions."If this framework becomes the actual piece of legislation," McConnell told reporters, "it's a step forward, a step forward on a bipartisan basis." The plan, he added, "further proves to the American people" that legislators can work together on major issues "to make progress for the country."
McConnell's remarks were notable because they came only five months before the midterm elections, in which Republicans are hoping to win control of the Senate and a majority in the House. For years, Republican politicians have been putting their careers on the line by opposing the opinions of the party's faithful gun-owning and rural voters, who oppose measures that they believe will jeopardize their ability to own and use firearms.
Supporting the gun legislation, McConnell seemed to imply, would even enhance certain Republicans' chances in November. Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, a main architect of the deal, presented GOP polling data during a closed-door senators' lunch, stating support among gun owners for the agreement's features is "off the charts, overwhelming," he said.
For the first time, the plan would include juvenile records in background checks for gun buyers under the age of 21. States would receive funding for mental health and school security initiatives, as well as incentives to enforce or implement local "red flag" laws that allow authorities to temporarily confiscate guns from those deemed dangerous.
Senators and aides seek to turn their broad agreement into legislation in the coming days, in the hopes that it would be approved by Congress before the July 4 holiday. Both parties realize that this is a difficult procedure that may be marred by disagreements and delays.
Some Republicans criticized the plan on Tuesday, citing its endorsement of "red flag" regulations as a source of dissatisfaction. They exist in 19 states, primarily ruled by Democrats, as well as the District of Columbia, but Republicans in Congress have thwarted efforts to establish federal legislation on the subject
"Why would we incentivise states to undertake something we think is a horrible idea if we're not going to adopt a federal red flag statute, which we shouldn't?" Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-North Dakota, suggested as much."In light of the Constitution, I'm not sure what we can do." "Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., said of the overall accord, noting the right to bear guns guaranteed by the Second Amendment.
Cornyn supported the "red flag" concept in the bill, claiming that it would not impose any national obligations for such regulations. He claims that it provides funding to "every state, regardless of whether it has a'red flag' statute or not" for programs aimed at promoting public safety and assisting disturbed individuals. A "red flag" statute does not exist in Texas.
McConnell made it apparent that he would only go so far in terms of gun control.
When asked why the federal minimum age for tobacco sales is 21 but 18 for gun sales, he replied, "Good try." He went on to say that incorporating state and local juvenile records in background checks for young men was "a step in the right way."
Both the alleged shooters in Buffalo, who killed ten people, and Uvalde, who killed 19 schoolchildren and two teachers, were 18 years old, which is a frequent characteristic for mass shooters.
Democratic support for a final agreement on overall legislation is expected to be strong. However, reaching the Senate's regular 60-vote threshold would require at least 10 Republican votes, and McConnell's praise increased expectations that Republican support would rise beyond that.
The framework also expands the types of domestic abusers who are forbidden from purchasing firearms, mandates that more firearms merchants conduct background checks, and increases the penalty for gun traffickers.
The National Rifle Association said on Sunday that it would not take a position on the plan until it was accompanied by complete law. It stated that it will fight "gun control legislation" as well as restrictions on people's "basic right to self-defense."
Millions of dedicated members vote strongly on weapons matters, giving the pro-gun lobby considerable clout. However, following previous financial scandals and litigation, GOP backing for the new package represents the newest danger to the party's leadership.
The Democratic-controlled House is poised to approve the bill, which Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has praised as a first step toward more stringent limitations in the future.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, said the bill would be voted on as soon as it is ready. He compared the progress made in recent days to Congress' refusal to act following a string of mass shootings in prior decades.
"Perhaps this time will be different from Uvalde and Buffalo." Many senators on both sides agree that this issue is unique "According to Schumer
The last major gun legislation passed by Congress was an assault weapons prohibition, which went into force in 1994 but was repealed ten years later.
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