Families are once again mourning, while usual debates over gun control laws have again resurfaced, only to die down later once news of mass shootings subside. However the news is not about to die down as CNN points out that in just a span of 7 days, 7 mass shootings have taken place across U.S. states. The 7th occurred last Monday at a supermarket in Boulder, Colorado, less than a week after a mass shooting in Atlanta, took the lives of eight people.
As expected, the shooting incidents sparked debate on the gun control legislation since deaths by firearms have unfortunately become common in the country. Democratic lawmakers have been calling out for stricter limits on firearms ownership and license issuance. Now that they have the majority number, they say they are determined to fulfill that goal. That is, if they are able to eliminate or at least reform the filibuster rule that requires 60 votes in order to pass legislation.
As it is, the Senate House is so polarized, the Republicans will simply vote against any bill proposed by Democrats.
Political Expert Say that Political Polarization Made Gun Control Law a Culture War
According to Professor Michael Siegel of the Boston University School of Public Health. polls actually show consistent and strong support for measures like universal background checks. However, the policies being debated about gun control laws only got buried by the political polarization of the two parties; making the fight over gun control, a culture war.
Unless, the filibuster rule is removed, the legalization of any gun control legislation will depend on whether Democrats can amass 10 votes from Republican lawmakers to remove the legislative filibuster,
President Biden Calls on Congress to Address Reform of Gun Control Laws
Last Tuesday, President Biden called on Senators to pass the two House bills that would close the loopholes that are making the country’s gun control laws ineffective. The president’s statement referred to the House bill proposing the need to require a background check to anyone acquiring or obtaining a firearms license. The second bill, the President was referring to is a ban on the issuance of assault weapons, to which President Biden himself help introduce during the 90s.
Hopefully, with unified control in both White House and Congress, Democratic lawmakers will be able to push for gun control laws that require tougher screening. Stricter screenings will be required when selling weapons to individuals, to ensure that they have no history of mental illness, no record of abusive behaviors, and without criminal records whatsoever.
Republicans Would Rather Work Toward Widening Access to Firearms
Republican lawmakers however are doing the contrary, as Republican-led states are widening access to firearms. Republican state lawmakers insist that due to rising incidents, permitless carrying of firearms can better protect and ensure public safety of individuals.