Democratic lawmakers in the U.S. Senate announced a new campaign for gun control, combining a sweeping call for “universal” background checks with redundant measures. Anti-gun “usual suspect” Ed Markey, D-Mass., announced a plan to require background checks for private transfers, closing what opponents misleadingly call the “gun-show loophole.” Among the other goals are making straw purchasing and arms trafficking federal crimes—which, last we heard, they already are.
Harry Reid, D-Nev., said that he and fellow lawmakers “call on Republicans to join us in this effort.” Meanwhile Markey encouraged his peers to “… say NRA stands for Not Relevant Anymore …” on the political scene.
