(RightIsRight.co) – Legislation to keep guns away from dangerous individuals has gained momentum following the endorsement of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY.) this week.
McConnell expressed he would vote for legislation stemming from the bipartisan framework, making the Kentucky Republican the 11th Senate Republican to back it, and bringing the number of Senators to support the bill to 61, enough to surpass the filibuster.
Speaking after the Senate GOP’s lunch, McConnell revealed to reporters that he is “comfortable with the framework,” adding that “if the legislation ends up reflecting what the framework indicates,” he would support it.
Despite being a devoted partisan, McConnell has deviated and voted against the majority of the Senate Republican Conference to pass bills he deems are in the nation’s best interest.
Last year, McConnell joined 18 other Republicans to pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill and then was one of 14 Republicans to vote for a one-time filibuster exemption to raise the debt ceiling.
When discussing his plans to vote for the gun laws, McConnell indicated his decision had been based on the May mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, that left 21 people dead, saying his move “demonstrates to the American people that we can come together, which we have done from time to time on things like infrastructure and postal reform, to make progress for the country.”
McConnell also disclosed that a poll presented by chief Republican negotiator Sen. John Corny (Texas) showed an overwhelming “support for provisions of the framework is off the charts.”
The Senate Minority Leader also pointed to proposals within the framework that would give the National Instant Criminal Background Check System access to the juvenile crime records of gun buyers between 18 and 21 years old, saying it is “a step in the right direction.”
