Senate talks on gun reform exclude assault weapons ban, expanded background checks

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Sen. Chris Murphy said the bipartisan talks on gun reform don’t include a ban on assault weapons ban or expanded background checks.
• The talks come following the mass shootings in Buffalo, New York and Uvalde, Texas.
• Murphy said lawmakers have been meeting regularly to try to pan out a potential bipartisan Senate bill.

Democrat Sen. Chris Murphy said the bipartisan talks on gun reform will not include any bill that would ban assault weapons or include expanded background checks. Murphy, who plays a major role in helping lead Senate talks on gun control, said they are currently working on legislation that would include a range of other measures.

Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union on Sunday, the Connecticut Democrat said: “We’re not going to put a piece of legislation on the table that’s going to ban assault weapons, or we’re not going to pass comprehensive background checks. But right now, people in this country want us to make progress. They just don’t want the status quo to continue for another 30 years.”

Currently, nine senators from the two parties are working on the proposal. They are discussing adding funds for mental health care and adding safety measures for schools, red flag laws and changes to strengthen the background check system, Murphy told host Jake Tapper.

Murphy is optimistic that the Senate agree on a potential bill.

“I’ve never been part of negotiations as serious as these,” Murphy said. “There are more Republicans at the table talking about changing our gun laws and investing in mental health than at any time since Sandy Hook.”

President Joe Biden and other Democrats have been calling for a ban on assault weapons purchases along with “comprehensive” background checks. However, Republicans don’t show support for those measures. Murphy expressed optimism that there are other areas that could gain enough bipartisan support.

Pennsylvania Republican Sen. Pat Toomey said he was also optimistic that both parties could agree on some measures with the goal of curbing gun violence. He said half of the Republican senators could get on board with a final bill.

“It feels to me like we are closer than we’ve been since I’ve been in the Senate,” Toomey told CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday.

Source: AOL