Key Democrat tells ‘Meet the Press’ he believes Senate can pass gun control bill

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Sunday said he thinks Congress has an opportunity to pass a gun reform bill, citing Republican senators who are interested in compromising on legislation in the days following the two deadly shootings in Georgia and Colorado.

“I’ve gotten a lot of calls from Republicans in the Senate who don’t want to fight this fight any longer because the NRA’s authority is fading, the anti-gun violence movement’s impact is increasing. I think we have a chance,” Murphy told anchor Chuck Todd on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

EXCLUSIVE: Senator @ChrisMurphyCT says “I think we have a chance” to pass a gun reform bill that expands background checks. #MTP

Murphy: “I am not interested in getting 50 votes in the Senate. I am interested in getting 60 votes.” pic.twitter.com/S8lbJ7l0XM

— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) March 28, 2021

Murphy said he is now working with Democrats and “willing” Republicans to pass a bill that will expand background checks.

“I’ve been instructed by Senator Schumer to work over the next several weeks with Democrats and willing Republicans to try to get a bill that expands background checks that can pass, that can get votes from both sides. Don’t count us out,” Murphy said.

Murphy added that he’s aiming for a bipartisan bill.

“I’m not interested in getting 50 votes in the Senate, I’m interested in getting 60 votes, that’s what is required to pass a piece of legislation today,” Murphy said.

The renewed push for a gun reform bill follows the two deadly shootings in Atlanta and Boulder, Colo., which killed a combined 18 people.

On Tuesday, President Biden called on Congress to pass an assault weapons ban and close loopholes in the background check system.

“I don’t need to wait another minute, let alone an hour, to take common sense steps that will save lives in the future and to urge my colleagues in the House and Senate to act,” Biden said in remarks at the White House. “We can ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines in this country once again. I got that done when I was a senator. … We should do it again.”

He also urged the Senate to “immediately pass” two House-approved bills that would expand background checks for gun sales. He noted that both bills passed through the House with some Republican support.