Rallies Planned Around The Country To Pressure Congress To Pass Gun Control Bills
Supporters say they will have gatherings this weekend in all 50 states. Meanwhile, news on reactions from the recent mass shootings show that some conservatives are worried that President Donald Trump's willingness to accept some new limits on guns could have serious repercussions for Republicans, while Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) is hoping to keep the president focused on solving the problem.
Politico:
Gun Control Groups To Rally In All 50 States To Pressure GOP
Gun control groups will hold rallies in all 50 states this weekend to urge the Senate to pass universal background checks, as well as a "red flag" measure aimed at potentially dangerous gun owners. Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America — both funded by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg — will also air nearly $1 million of TV and digital ads to pressure key GOP senators. (Bresnahan, 8/14)
The Wall Street Journal:
Trump Advisers Are Wary As President Considers Gun Proposals
President Trump’s public push for gun-control measures is causing consternation among conservatives and some of his advisers, who have privately raised concerns about the political and policy fallout of the approach, according to White House officials and people familiar with the discussions. At least so far, Mr. Trump doesn’t appear to have been swayed by the concerns, and the president has indicated privately to aides that he wants to be seen taking action in response to back-to-back mass shootings earlier this month. Aides said he remains interested in pushing for legislative action to expand background checks and prevent mentally unstable people from possessing guns. (Ballhaus, Restuccia and Andrews, 8/14)
Politico:
Susan Collins And The GOP Court Trump On Guns
Susan Collins has watched countless gun debates stall out over the years. But this time, she says, will be different. The Maine moderate has long been a lonely voice on guns in the GOP. She’s one of just two Republicans left in the Senate who previously supported a bipartisan background checks bill and the only Republican serving who backed an assault weapons ban. Every time she’s gotten close to winning even modest new gun regulations, the effort collapses due to conservative opposition. (Everett and Levine, 8/14)
PoliticoPro:
'Red Flag' Laws May Prevent Gun-Related Suicides, Research Shows
"Red flag" laws that President Donald Trump and some congressional Republicans have promoted in response to this month's mass shootings in Texas and Ohio may be effective at preventing suicides, though it's unclear whether they can thwart mass killings, according to recent studies. Mental health and gun rights advocates say the effectiveness of measures allowing firearms to be temporarily seized from people deemed a threat hinges on identifying specific high-risk behaviors instead of focusing on an individual's mental health diagnoses or behavioral history. (Rayasam, 8/14)
