McCarthy Backs Piecemeal Gun-Control Strategy in Congress

[SecularMotion]

A ban on high-capacity gun magazines has a good chance of passing the Republican-led U.S. House if it’s offered as a stand-alone bill, said Representative Carolyn McCarthy, a New York Democrat.

With opposition in Congress to an assault-weapons ban, advancing a broad package of firearms restrictions could imperil President Barack Obama’s initiative to curb gun violence, McCarthy said today at a Bloomberg Government breakfast. She said a ban on the high-capacity devices that feed bullets and expanded background checks have support among lawmakers and could be approved.

Democrats initially had wanted to advance one major legislative package, including a ban on assault weapons, in the aftermath of the Dec. 14 shootings that killed 20 children and six adults in Newtown, Connecticut. Now, McCarthy says she’s “come around to thinking” a piecemeal approach is best.

“I was one that wanted a comprehensive package,” said McCarthy, whose husband was killed in a 1993 shooting on a Long Island Rail Road train. “I’m not going to derail everything.”

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-02-14/mccarthy-backs-piecemeal-gun-control-strategy-in-congress

She makes a good point here.

“If you take away the large magazines it’s not going to make any difference what kind of a gun you have because you’ll have less bullets into it,” she said. An assault-weapons ban “is more symbolic.”

[hack89]

1. Reality just wacked her on the head.

better a couple of small victories than one large defeat.

[holdencaufield]

2. "a piecemeal approach is best"

Unusual and unexpected frankness from the pro-control side. One gun at a time, folks.

[jmg257]

3. Such a bill is already in the Senate S.33.

S 33 IS

113th CONGRESS

1st Session
S. 33

To prohibit the transfer or possession of large capacity ammunition feeding devices, and for other purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

January 22 (legislative day, January 3), 2013

Mr. LAUTENBERG (for himself, Mr. SCHUMER, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. CARPER, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. REED, Mrs. BOXER, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. COONS, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mr. CARDIN, Mr. HARKIN, Mr. LEVIN, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Mr. FRANKEN, Mr. MURPHY, and Mrs. GILLIBRAND) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary


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