A team of lawmakers led by Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy and Republican Sen. John Cornyn are working to implement a plan to boost school safety, address gaps in the U.S. mental health system, and keep guns away from criminals and individuals. considered to be a danger to the public or to themselves. Lawmakers had hoped to reach an agreement by the end of the week, but told reporters that such an outcome seemed “less likely” even as they planned a new round of virtual talks on Friday. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register “We are not there yet,” Kornin told reporters after leaving talks with Murphy, Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and Republican Sen. Thom Tillis. “I’m still optimistic we’ll get a bill. But it ‘s a complicated issue and it’ s challenging,” the Texas Republican added. “We have significantly reduced the issues.” He did not give details. The effort follows recent mass shootings in Buffalo, New York. Uvalde, Texas? Tulsa, Oklahoma and elsewhere. read more Murphy told reporters that his goal was to pass legislation that could stem the tide of shootings in the United States before the Senate adjourned for the July 4 holiday at the end of the month. The leader of the Democrats in the Senate, Chuck Sumer, promised to put any agreement for a quick vote. “This is really difficult,” Murphy said. “There is a real sincerity on everyone in the room to do this. But there is also a sincerity to do it right.” Democrats, including President Joe Biden, have called for new restrictions on gun ownership, including a ban on semi-automatic, offensive and high-capacity missiles, and raising the minimum age for buying such weapons from 18 to 21. The Democrat-controlled House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly along party lines Wednesday to approve a sweeping arms control package. But that bill has no chance of clearing the Senate, which is evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans. As a party, Republicans have consistently defended gun ownership rights under the Second Amendment to the US Constitution. “The second amendment and sound public policy are not mutually exclusive here. And this is the needle we are trying to cross,” Cornyn said in a speech. The senators are considering relatively modest changes that could attract the 60 votes needed to enter the 100-seat chamber. They could strengthen history checks for people aged 18-21 by encouraging states to make juvenile records available in national databases, notify local police of failed history checks, and give authorities extra time to verify a would-be arms buyer when necessary. Cornyn said the legislation could also extend community-based mental health facilities to address underlying issues that could contribute to gun violence. Lawmakers are also considering providing incentives for state “red flag” laws to protect guns from disturbed individuals. They have turned to the question of how to provide potential billions of dollars in funding without increasing the federal deficit. Other proposals will enhance the physical security of schools, including more security officers on campus. Cornyn said the team is also considering a proposal to tackle so-called straw gun purchases by people representing buyers who cannot pass history checks. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register Report by David Morgan. additional report by Katharine Jackson. curated by Ross Colvin, Cynthia Osterman and Jonathan Oatis Our role models: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
