Republicans mull next step after Trump’s gun curbs call

Republican senators in the US Congress yesterday signalled that they were hesitant to embrace a call from President Donald Trump for sweeping changes to gun laws, including measures more typically backed by Democrats.Trump shocked fellow Republicans on Wednesday when he threw his support behind a broad set of restrictions on gun sales in response to the February 14 mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida, that killed 17 people.John Cornyn of Texas, the No 2 Senate Republican, told reporters he believes his modest proposal to improve the background check system for gun buyers is the best way forward with the highest chance of success, rather than the more ambitious approach Trump appeared to back.“I still think it’s the best way forward to get something done and not end up empty-handed,” Cornyn said after meeting with leaders of the senate judiciary committee, chairman Chuck Grassley and ranking Democratic member Dianne Feinstein.Cornyn said he hoped to offer his narrowly tailored bill as a “base” for debate on the senate floor, noting 50 senators have signed up to support it.But Cornyn said the process for considering other measures would be up to senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell.McConnell has not spoken about the issue since Trump’s free-flowing, televised White House meeting with lawmakers.Republican senator John Kennedy told reporters he was sceptical that any gun control legislation will advance soon. “So far, there’s been a lot of chopping but I don’t see any chips flying. And I’m not sure that’s going to change,” Kennedy said, noting Americans “feel passionately” about their constitutional rights on gun ownership.Trump on Wednesday seemed to back several measures that are opposed by the powerful National Rifle Association gun lobby, which backed his 2016 candidacy.He voiced support for mandating background checks at gun shows and Internet sales, and for raising the age for legally buying rifles to 21 from 18.He also expressed interest in state laws that allow police to temporarily seize guns from people reported to be dangerous, but complained that getting a court order would be too cumbersome.Republican senator Pat Toomey said on MSNBC that he believed the meeting showed Trump wants to get legislation done. “I think there’s an old saying about this president, which is ‘Take him seriously, not necessarily literally,’” Toomey said.House Majority Whip Steve Scalise downplayed Trump’s comments.During the meeting, Trump openly disagreed with Scalise about including an NRA-backed measure allowing people to bring legal, concealed guns across state lines in legislation.