U.S. House panel to take up gun bill after Texas school massacre

Individuals pay their respects on the Robb Elementary Faculty memorial, the place a gunman killed 19 youngsters and two lecturers within the deadliest U.S. faculty capturing in practically a decade, in Uvalde, Texas, U.S. Could 30, 2022. REUTERS/Marco Bello

WASHINGTON, June 2 (Reuters) – A U.S. Home of Representatives committee on Thursday will take up a invoice aimed toward toughening nationwide gun legal guidelines following the Texas faculty capturing that killed 19 younger youngsters and two lecturers, although the measure has little likelihood of passing the Senate.

The Home of Representatives Judiciary Committee will try to approve the 41-page “Defending Our Children Act” that might increase the authorized age for getting sure weapons to 21 from 18, clamp down on trafficking of weapons, and encourage their protected storage. It additionally would limit large-capacity ammunition feeding gadgets.

Even when accepted by the committee, Democrats face an uphill struggle advancing it to President Joe Biden’s desk for enactment into regulation.

The total Home had already handed laws increasing background checks on gun patrons. The measure obtained the help of 219 Democrats however solely eight Republicans in March, 2021. The Senate will not be seen as having the required 60 votes out of 100 to advance it.

In the meantime, a small bipartisan group of senators had been utilizing the week-long Memorial Day recess to find out whether or not they can give you a invoice that sufficient Republicans would embrace.

Senate Republican Chief Mitch McConnell this week stated such laws ought to cope with “psychological sickness and college security” issues which will have fueled the bloodbath final week on the Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde, Texas.

It was unclear whether or not that might be broad sufficient for Democrats who’ve harder background checks excessive on their agenda and plenty of of whom need to ban rapid-fire assault kind weapons.

The Uvalde capturing was carried out by an 18-year-old gunman who used an AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle.

Reporting by Richard Cowan; Enhancing by Scott Malone and Invoice Berkrot

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