Senate Democrats are ready to accept a modest deal on gun-control legislation to get something done in response to mass shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde, Tx., even if it falls below their ambitions of previous years, reports The Hill. A bipartisan group of nine senators met Thursday to chart out a path for negotiations. Their top priorities are proposals to expand background checks and encourage states to set up red-flag laws to keep people deemed dangerous to themselves or others from possessing firearms. Democrats acknowledged that whatever deal they get is likely to be very limited because it needs at least 10 Republican votes to overcome a filibuster. "I hope they are successful ... but I’m certainly not going to be satisfied,” said Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), adding that an assault weapons [ban] "is not going to be in that package.” Another proposal favored by many Democrats, to ban high-capacity magazines, is also off the table.
“This is all about what can get 60 votes,” said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT). “Let’s see what public demand for action arises in the next few weeks but we need to work with Republicans.” Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) tapped Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) to negotiate a possible agreement with Democrats. McConnell warned that any proposal should be a narrowly tailored response to the Texas shooting. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, emphasized the need to rack up an accomplishment on gun violence. There was some preliminary discussion about raising the age for purchasing an assault weapon, like the AR-15s used in Buffalo or Uvalde, but the idea is running into GOP opposition. Some Democrats are very skeptical about even getting a modest deal with Republicans.