Senator Chuck Schumer is the Senate Majority Leader. As such, he has the opportunity to decide a few things, particularly as to what will be under consideration in that chamber.
And gun control has always been the order of the day, at least in theory.
After many shootings over the July 4th holiday weekend, which was not a great weekend since the 4th was on a Tuesday, meaning people went back to work on Monday in many cases, President Joe Biden called for scrutiny of weapons.
Because of course it did. The toilet flushes and he demands gun control, for yelling loudly.
But Schumer is pushing for itmashed potato.
Schumer spokeswoman Allison Biasotti spoke about Schumer’s gun control drive, saying:
Leader Schumer was proud to pass a major bipartisan gun safety bill in the Senate last summer, but more needs to be done. Schumer continues to work with his caucus to find a path forward that can garner enough Republican support to combat the scourge of gun violence, save lives, and bring about meaningful change.
Schumer will have to get 60 votes to pass gun control and the prospects are not high.
Furthermore, any gun controls that may pass the Senate are likely defeated once they reach the Republican-controlled House.
So basically, Schumer can push for what he wants, but he’s not going to get it. There are no votes.
Also, there are a lot of things that have nothing to do with whether or not it’s too easy to buy a gun.
For example, the 4th of July was hot. As, the hottest day on record.
The connection between heat and violence has long been documented, though it’s not particularly well understood. The idea that during the hottest period on record we saw a massive increase in violence is not shocking.
It’s troubling, sure, but there’s something else Schumer doesn’t account for, which is why most of these aren’t what people consider mass shootings.
These were often gang shootings resulting in many innocent people getting caught in the crossfire. This means that the guns were likely obtained illegally, which gun control will never address.
This means that even if Schumer does get something done through Congress — he can’t, but bear with me here — he’s unlikely to actually do anything the next time we get such hot weather.
But for Schumer, it’s not primarily about whether gun control will work or whether he can get it passed. It’s about saying the mantra. It’s about saying the magic words he needs to the Democrats who vote for him don’t doubt he’ll do something(TM).
They want him to do something, but as long as he says the words and makes the right moves, he’s fine with them. They will still vote for him because he tells them what they want to hear.
But gun control is not the answer. That’s not even close to the answer. Unless the answer is how Chuck Schumer can keep getting reelected, that is.
