TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Julia Wilburn on Mar 28, 2023

The Hill reports that Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives are considering an attempt to force votes on stricter gun laws following yesterday’s shooting in Nashville. The group is considering using a discharge petition, which would force proposed gun law reforms, now pending before various committees, to come straight to the House floor. A simple majority vote is needed to bring the bills up for consideration. Some House Republicans have shown little interest in strengthening gun laws, even though both sides of the aisle have condemned the violence. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Knoxville, told reporters that there is no way to “fix” gun violence. “It’s a horrible, horrible situation,” Burchett said. “And we’re not gonna fix it. Criminals are gonna be criminals.” Burchett also said he doesn’t see “any real role” for Congress to play in reducing gun violence, other than to “mess things up.”