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Republicans wade into gun control debate with proposal

After Texas massacre, GOP looks at background checks

By Lisa Mascaro, Tribune Washington Bureau (TNS)
Published: November 7, 2017, 9:31pm

WASHINGTON — In the aftermath of the mass shooting at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, the second-ranking Senate Republican said Tuesday that Congress would begin working on legislation to tighten background-check compliances for gun purchases.

The proposal announced by Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, the GOP whip, could become one of the rare times congressional Republicans have responded with legislative action following a shooting that caused mass casualties. Twenty-six people were killed when a gunman opened fire on Sunday church services.

“Obviously if things like this can happen in spite of the law, then we need to look at that and try to fix it as best we can,” Cornyn said. “This seems to be an area where there is bipartisan support.”

Officials said the gunman, Devin Patrick Kelley, was wrongly able to purchase guns after the Air Force failed to report his domestic violence court-martial to an FBI database.

Republicans are considering ways to prevent mistakes or oversight in background checks, including offering incentives to states to comply.

“This man should not have gotten a gun,” House Speaker Paul D. Ryan said.

Republicans opposed previous attempts to clamp down on gun purchases, particularly after the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting.

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