Thread by @JakeSherman

10 ppl were murdered yesterday in a mass shooting. 8 ppl killed in ATL last week.

Senate Judiciary has a gun hearing today. hearing was scheduled before the shootings.

That’s the point Dems are making: Mass shootings happen w/o warning or reason

@PunchbowlNews this AM

@PunchbowlNews One of the ironies of the Covid lockdowns of the last year was the number of mass shootings went down, although shootings and gun violence overall rose. But as the country reopens, there have been two mass shootings in six days.

@PunchbowlNews Let’s be abundantly clear: A majority of the House supports some sort of overhaul of gun laws. It’s not clear that a majority of the Senate does -- and, frankly, right now, it doesn’t matter. Filibuster will force 60 votes either way

@PunchbowlNews But these two mass shootings will spur activists to again call for the Senate to do away with the filibuster so Congress can attempt to pass new gun control laws. President Joe Biden will come under enormous pressure to press Democrats to blow up the Senate rules, as well.

@PunchbowlNews Democrats will find themselves asking what good is it to have majorities in both chambers and the White House if not to pass a priority like gun control?

@PunchbowlNews For context: It’s worth noting that the last time gun control legislation had a serious chance of getting through Congress was following the Sandy Hook massacre in late 2012.

@PunchbowlNews Former president Barack Obama tapped Biden, then the VP, to lead that effort, which ultimately failed as a bipartisan background checks bill stalled on the Senate floor.

@PunchbowlNews Biden and Obama were rapped by many for their inability to cut a deal and use the widespread national attention to force Congress to act. We could see that play out again here.

@PunchbowlNews One other note: Activists have pointed out that in Georgia, for instance, it’s easier to buy a gun than to register to vote. This says a lot about where America is headed in 2021.