WASHINGTON — With U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath helping to lead the way, U.S. House Democrats are launching an effort today to circumvent Republican opposition and force votes on gun control measures.
With Republicans in the majority and conservatives vowing to block any measures perceived as limiting access to firearms, Democratic-led proposals have stalled even after a spate of high-profile mass shootings, including one at a medical office in Atlanta. But in recent weeks, Democrats put a plan together to go around Republican leaders by gathering signatures for discharge petitions that, if a majority of House members sign, would force a vote on three different gun control bills.
McBath, whose proposal to ban AR-15-style firearms is among those Democrats hope to bring to a vote, said Democrats’ message will be that these measures are needed to keep constituents safe. The other two discharge petitions relate to bills that expand background checks and tighten rules that allow some people to obtain weapons without a background check.
