Washington, DC — A small bipartisan group is trying to come up with gun reform measures that could pass the Senate — and both of Iowa’s Republican senators say they’ll wait to comment on potential ideas until a plan is unveiled.
Senator Joni Ernst has described herself as an ardent supporter of the Second Amendment and she says any proposal must be thoroughly examined before a vote is taken.
Grassley says he has not ruled out any specific proposals. Ernst is expressing similar sentiments.
Ernst and Grassley in the past have raised due process concerns about so-called red flag laws that let law enforcement seize guns from people deemed a threat to themselves or others. Grassley says the Texas senator leading the negotiations has asked his fellow Republicans not to lock themselves in as being opposed to any specific proposals. Ernst is part of the Senate’s Republican leadership team, but not directly involved in negotiations.
The Republican and Democratic senators who are leading negotiations over a gun bill say they hope to make incremental progress. The gun reform measure the HOUSE passed last week will not be considered in the Senate. The wide-ranging HOUSE bill called for raising the minimum age for purchasing the type of rifles used in recent mass shootings in Texas and Buffalo to 21. Both shooters purchased their guns when they were 18.
