CNN spoke to Republican and Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill Tuesday, a day after a school shooting in Nashville left three children and three adults dead.
Republican senators in the House and Senate rejected calls for additional action on guns, arguing there was no need for tougher restrictions.
House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordanwho has the authority on gun policy, said he doesn’t think Congress should limit assault weapons.
“The Second Amendment is the Second Amendment,” he said. “I believe in the Second Amendment and we should not punish law-abiding American citizens.”
Senator Lindsey Graham, The top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee and a participant in previous negotiations on gun legislation, said, “I don’t know if there’s a lot of room for extra work, but I certainly would. consider.”
Graham said he opposes the AR-15 ban, noting that he himself owns a gun and that he argues that it would be “difficult to enforce national red flag laws”.
After the shooting in his county yesterday, Republican Representative Andy Ogles off questions about the ban on AR-15 rifles.
Ogles, who represents Nashville, said, “Why not talk about the real problem the country is facing? And that is mental health.”
Remember, Ogles posted a photo on Facebook on Christmas 2022 when he was mayor of Maury County showing him and his family standing in front of a Christmas tree holding weapons, with the caption: “The atmosphere itself. guns everywhere and everywhere will limit the interference of evil – they deserve a place of honor for all that is good.”
Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin told reporters he was “not very hopeful” that the Senate could pass gun legislation in this Congress, adding, “we still have to try.”
“This is uniquely American, and the people of this country must ask themselves one fundamental question: Is it enough? Is it enough to send your children and grandchildren to school and wonder if they will fall victim to an assault rifle?” he say.
He also followed the Republican argument that semi-automatic weapons are constitutionally protected.
“I mean, this is madness. I don’t think some people rationalize this as part of the Second Amendment,” he said.
Despite Republican objections, Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal insisted he did not give up.
“We’ve heard in the past that stopping gun violence is not possible, but we’ve made progress working together. I don’t accept no as an answer,” he said. “I will continue to seek to enlist my Republican colleagues because they know the outrage, the grief.”
Republican Representative Byron Donalds push back against calls for further gun laws and a ban on the AR-15.
“If you were going to talk about the AR-15, we’re talking politics now,” he said. “Let’s not get involved in politics. Let’s not get caught up in emotions, because emotions feel good, but emotions don’t solve problems.”
Republican Senator Todd Young, When asked if he supported a specific hearing on assault weapons, he said he would support a hearing to understand what happened in the Nashville shootings.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise declined when asked if the shooting would prompt Congress to address any form of reform.
“The first thing in any kind of tragedy that I do is pray. I pray for the victims, pray for their families. I get really angry when I see people trying to politicize it for the sake of it. their personal goals, especially when we don’t.” even know the truth or the truth is coming out, he said.
“Let’s find out the truth. And let’s work to see if we can do anything to help keep schools safe,” he said. “We talked about what we could do and it seems like on the other side all they want to do is take guns away from law-abiding citizens.”
Scalise was injured in 2017 when a gunman opened fire while Republican members of Congress were practicing for an annual charity baseball game.
Democratic caucus chairman, Congressman Pete Aguilar said “shame on Speaker (Kevin) McCarthy” for not wanting to introduce gun legislation.
Democratic Caucus Vice Chairman, Representative Ted Lieu criticized Republicans for delaying the Judiciary Committee hearing on guns today.
“Why would they do that now, if they really believe when they say that arming more Americans with more guns, more AR-15s, more pistols will make us safer? They will hold a hearing and see it as a solution, but they don’t. They run. They run away, and they’re hiding,” Lieu said, ending with the word “coward”.
Individual, Senate Chaplain Barry Blackwhose role has traditionally been apolitical, called on lawmakers to act on gun violence “beyond thought and prayer” in the wake of the shootings.
“Lord, when children die at church schools, it’s time for us to go beyond thoughts and prayers,” he said Tuesday morning on the Senate floor.
CNN’s Nicky Robertson contributed reporting to this post.
