Gun legislation stalls as leaders snipe

WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that Democrats are engaging in “theatrics” over gun control legislation. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned that “people are dying” because the Senate leader refuses to act.

After a summer of devastating mass shootings, Congress appears no closer to approving legislation to curb gun violence as President Donald Trump wavers on what kind of bill he wants the lawmakers to send for his signature.

“Lives are at stake,” Pelosi told reporters, visibly shaken by questions asking if the House could have done more.

“Don’t ask me what we haven’t done. We have done it,” Pelosi said. “If you are annoyed with my impatience it’s because people are dying because Senator McConnell hasn’t acted. Why don’t you go ask him if he has any regrets for all the people who died because he hasn’t acted?”

McConnell refuses to vote on a House-passed bill to expand background checks for gun purchases because he says it’s not at all clear the Senate would be able to pass the legislation or Trump would sign it into law.

He said for Democratic leaders, who held a press conference pushing action, “It’s all about trying to scare people.”

Republican congressional leaders were going to the White House later Tuesday to discuss options as pressure mounts for Congress to act. The White House’s legislative director met privately with Republican senators to discuss ideas the administration is considering.