Background Check Bill Passes House, But Dems Are Still Moving Cautiously When Picking Their Gun Safety Fights
The House passed legislation on Wednesday that would expand background checks to all gun sales, a bill that's gone further on gun control than any other in decades. But despite the apparent willingness to take on some proposals, Democrats, who have been hard-charging on other liberal issues, are aiming at low-hanging fruit -- such as the “boyfriend loophole” that allows some domestic abusers to own guns. And passage in the Senate is unlikely.
Reuters:
U.S. House Approves Expanded Background Checks For Gun Sales
The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill that would expand background checks for gun sales to include firearm purchases at gun shows and over the internet, a measure likely to face Senate and White House opposition. The background check bill, which was approved by a 240-190 vote, is the first gun control measure taken up by Democrats since they regained control of the House in the 2018 congressional midterm elections. (Becker, 2/27)
Politico:
House Passes Most Sweeping Gun Control Legislation In Decades
The background checks legislation faces stiff opposition in the GOP-controlled Senate, and President Donald Trump — who has strong backing from the National Rifle Association and other gun rights groups — has vowed to veto the bill if it ever reaches his desk. But House Democrats insist that some federal action must be taken to address the growing toll of gun violence. In addition to Wednesday's vote, they will move legislation on Thursday to close the "Charleston loophole," which allows people to buy guns before background checks are completed, and extend the time period for any background checks from three days to as long as 20 days. White supremacist Dylann Roof was able to buy a gun in 2015 despite pending drug charges, and he later killed nine African-Americans at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C. (Bresnahan, 2/27)
The Washington Post:
Hard-Charging Democrats’ Cautious Strategy On Gun Control Reflects Limits Of Political Change
For six years, Rep. Mike Thompson’s job as House Democrats’ point man on combating gun violence amounted to stretches of obscurity punctuated by tragedy. As leader of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, he convened countless meetings of lawmakers, experts, advocates and victims, trying to build support for some kind — any kind — of gun control legislation. And when a mass shooting occurred, he stepped forward alongside Democratic leaders to explain the need for the kind of action the House Republican majority had no interest in taking. (DeBonis, 2/27)
