The Gun Control Proposal Congress Could Agree On
— -- While the Senate did not pass any of the four gun safety measures that came to the floor for votes this evening, lawmakers continue to work on a narrower proposal that could receive enough bipartisan support to advance.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, is working on a measure that would block people on the Transportation Security Administration’s no-fly list from buying firearms. The measure also includes a selectee list that would subject individuals to additional screening before boarding a plane.
The proposal would target a smaller group of potential gun buyers than the amendment from Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.
In a nod to Republicans’ concerns about due process for those unjustifiably blocked from buying guns, Collins’ proposal would allow individuals to appeal decisions blocking purchases, and it would award attorney fees if they are successful.
The Maine Republican’s plan also includes a provision that would require alerting the FBI if someone who has been on the no-fly or selectee list within the last five years buys a gun. This look-back proposal – which appears in some form in the Feinstein bill — would have flagged Orlando gunman Omar Mateen, who spent 10 months on a terrorist watch list.
Members of Congress may agree on providing the FBI with additional counterterrorism resources. House and Senate appropriators have signaled a willingness to consider providing more funding to law enforcement after the June 12 Orlando shooting.
Beyond votes this week, advocates on both sides of the gun safety debate will continue to make their case.
“Ultimately, the only way that you win this issue is by building a political infrastructure around the country that rivals that of the gun lobby,” Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., told ABC’s Jon Karl on Sunday.
Chris Cox, the top lobbyist for the NRA, said on “This Week” the group is planning to support like-minded candidates on the ballot this year.
“We’re going to use that money to get out and communicate with gun owners across this country and … let them know what’s at stake in this election,” he said.
ABC’s Ali Rogin contributed to this report.
