While Donald Trump yammers about his dystopian fantasy of arming teachers, there are several bills intended to strengthen gun laws already in Congress, ready to be passed the minute Republicans are ready to stop obstructing and changing the subject and offering thoughts and prayers but no action. Expanding background checks, banning bump stocks, raising the age limit to buy an AR-15—these are all policies that have bipartisan support. There’s also a bill to ban assault weapons, though no Republican is willing to make that obvious, popular step. But will any of them go anywhere? Not likely with this Senate and House:
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is loath to allow any debate that splits his caucus, and it’s hard to find one more divisive than guns. Already, proposals backed by the Florida Republican and the president are running into headwinds in the slow-moving Senate. [...]
“Congress is in a mood to finally do something on this issue - I hope!” Trump tweeted.
But the president’s scattered approach is unlikely to translate into quick action in the Senate — or with the methodical majority leader.
“Despite the president’s words, this is going to be harder than he might think,” said a Senate Republican aide.
And that’s just the Senate. Paul Ryan’s House is no more likely to take action. That’s what to pay attention to: what are Republicans going to do? And for all their attempts at distraction, the answer is likely to remain “nothing,” at least without overwhelming, unceasing pressure and electoral jeopardy.