Despite Michigan Shooting, Republican Senator Says No to Gun Control

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the leading Republican on the Senate judiciary committee, has blocked a request to proceed on gun control legislation in the Senate following the Michigan school shooting this week, reports The Guardian. Senator Chris Murphy, requested unanimous consent to pass the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021, which would require new background checks for gun transfers between private parties, as well as expand a 10-day review for gun purchases and transfers.

The legislation, passed by the House, would also prohibit a firearm from being transferred among individuals unless a licensed dealer or manufacturer carries out a background check. Grassley blocked the request, condemning it as “hostile towards lawful gun owners and lawful firearm transactions,” and arguing that “so-called universal background checks will not prevent crime and will turn otherwise law-abiding citizens into criminals.” Instead, Grassley promoted the Protecting Communities and Preserving the Second Amendment Act of 2021 as a better alternative. The bill seeks to prevent gun violence by ensuring that government agencies accurately submit records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.