The NPR Politics Podcast Federal Gun Restrictions Are Likely Doomed in the Senate
May 25, 2022
A tragic mass shooting in Texas reignites the debate on gun control, but political stalemate in the Senate suggests little hope for change. Strong public support for reforms like background checks is overshadowed by Republican opposition. Meanwhile, recent primary results in Georgia show resistance to Trump-endorsed candidates, revealing shifting dynamics in the GOP. The landscape in Texas is also evolving, with progressive challengers battling establishment Democrats and changes in Republican leadership signaling a new direction.
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Political Gridlock on Gun Control
- Mass shootings have become tragically frequent, yet legislative action stalls.
- Sixty Senate votes are needed to pass gun control, but bipartisan support lacks.
Failed Bipartisan Efforts
- After Sandy Hook, a bipartisan effort to strengthen background checks failed.
- Even some conservative Democrats contributed to its failure, highlighting the deep divisions.
Nihilistic View on Gun Laws
- Some Republicans express a nihilistic view on gun laws, questioning their efficacy if broken.
- This view seems exclusive to gun control, contrasting with other legislative areas.