By: José Niño
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is committed to advancing additional gun control legislation after shootings plagued Democratic-controlled cities throughout the Fourth of July weekend.
Per a report by The Hill, there were notable weekend shootings that took place in Baltimore, Lansing, Philadelphia, and Wichita. Similarly, Chicago saw 32 people get shot during the Fourth of July weekend, with three of these people dying because of the gunshot wounds they received. One thing these five cities have in common is that they are under monolithic Democratic control.
In response to these shootings, President Joe Biden called for gun control measures such as an “assault weapons” ban, a “high capacity” magazine ban, universal background checks, legislation that allows the families of shooting victims to file lawsuits against gun manufacturers, among other legislative proposals.
In a similar vein, Schumer wants to pass tougher gun control laws.
Schumer’s spokesperson, Allison Biasotti, talked about Schumer’s gun agenda, highlighting:
“Leader Schumer was proud to have passed a significant bipartisan gun safety bill through the Senate last summer but more must be done. Schumer continues to work with his caucus to find a path forward that can garner enough Republican support and combat the scourge of gun violence, save lives and bring meaningful change.”
Due to the polarized nature of the US Senate, where Democrats hold a slight majority of 49-48 (with three independent senators in Angus King (R-ME), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) generally caucusing with them), Schumer must pick up 60 votes to pass gun control measures. This is not exactly a walk in the park.
Thanks to the pro-gun pressure that has been placed on Republican officials over the past two decades, there are simply not enough Republicans in the Senate to flip to Gun Control Inc’s side. Furthermore, any gun control bills that head to the US House, where Republicans enjoy a 222-212 majority, will likely be dead on arrival.
Dudley Brown, the president of the National Association for Gun Rights, said the following about Schumer’s gun control push:
“Schumer’s shenanigans are growing tiresome. Liberal cities tear down the police, disarm the good people, and coddle the criminals. Schumer’s solution? Surprise! It’s more gun control inflicted on the devastated victims of liberal policies.”
We can thank relentless gun right activists for creating the political conditions that prevent the easy passage of gun control measures. That’s what happens when political movements don’t become complacent and continue pushing the envelope. This same energy should be applied in offensive contexts when gun owners band together to repeal bad gun control laws on the books.
Ultimately, that’s how we’ll restore gun rights in America.
José Niño is a freelance writer based in Austin, Texas. Contact him via Facebook, Twitter, or email him at [email protected]. Get his e-book, The 10 Myths of Gun Control, here.