Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) said on May 29 that he’s under “no illusion” that Congress will pass possible gun-reform legislation following the mass shooting in Texas that left 21 dead.
They include expanding the federal gun background check system, laws around weapons storage, and red flag laws, which refer to measures that allow police or family members to petition a state court to order the removal of a firearm from an individual who may pose a danger to themselves or others.
“Well, whatever we can get done. If it saves a life, it’s worth doing,” Booker said. “And so, my colleagues who are entering the bipartisan talks, I fully support that, but I’m under no illusion that we’re going to do the things that need to be done, that the majority of Americans overwhelmingly support, Republican and Democrat, that can create significant safety.”
Booker claimed that Senate Republicans “won’t allow, research, basic scientific research on gun violence” but added that “we know enough to know that there are things we can do that will dramatically lower gun violence. And so, the question is when will we do it.”
Booker’s comments come amid renewed calls for stricter gun legislation following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde on May 24.
Salvador Ramos, 18, allegedly shot his grandmother, Celia Martinez Gonzales, in the face at their home and left her in a critical condition before driving roughly 2.29 miles to Robb Elementary School in Uvalde and opening fire on the campus, killing 19 children and two adults.
The suspected gunman, who purchased an AR-15-style rifle just days before the shooting, was shot and killed by a border patrol agent.
Speaking to ABC Newson Sunday, Murphy, an ally of President Joe Biden, said lawmakers are discussing “strengthening and expanding the background check system, if not universal background checks” as well as safe storage of firearms and mental health resources along with “more security dollars for schools.”
Murphy added that their bill “could have a significant downward pressure” on shootings.
“Maybe that’s the most important thing we could do is just show that progress is possible and that the sky doesn’t fall for Republicans if they support some of these commonsense measures,” he said.
The second would eliminate the so-called “gun show loophole,” which allows buyers to obtain weapons without the seller having to conduct a federal background check of that buyer.
Neither bill has been put to a vote in the Senate.
