Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) said on May 29 that he’s under “no illusion” that Congress will pass possible gun-reform legislation following the mass shooting in Texas that left 21 dead.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said Sunday that bipartisan negotiations regarding potential gun legislation are underway.
They include expanding the federal gun background check system, laws around weapons storage, and red flag laws, which refer to measures that allow police or family members to petition a state court to order the removal of a firearm from an individual who may pose a danger to themselves or others.
However, Booker told NBC’s “Meet the Press” host Chuck Todd on Sunday that while he fully supports bipartisan talks among lawmakers regarding stricter gun control laws, he ultimately does not believe such laws will be passed.
“Well, whatever we can get done. If it saves a life, it’s worth doing,” Booker said. “And so, my colleagues who are entering the bipartisan talks, I fully support that, but I’m under no illusion that we’re going to do the things that need to be done, that the majority of Americans overwhelmingly support, Republican and Democrat, that can create significant safety.”
Booker claimed that Senate Republicans “won’t allow, research, basic scientific research on gun violence” but added that “we know enough to know that there are things we can do that will dramatically lower gun violence. And so, the question is when will we do it.”
Booker’s comments come amid renewed calls for stricter gun legislation following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde on May 24.
