Gun control debate may return as Republicans signal a new willingness to talk
Source: Washington Post
At least two Republican senators have signaled that they may reconsider their opposition to expanded national background checks for gun purchases, aides said Monday, suggesting that the push for stricter gun laws could return as a top issue in Washington in the coming weeks.
The gun debate appeared to be largely abandoned on Capitol Hill following a resounding defeat in the Senate last month. But a handful of lawmakers are showing a new eagerness to engage on the issue after gun-control groups launched campaigns against senators in both parties who voted against the background check proposal.
Capitol Hill aides Monday declined to identify the two Republicans who have approached Democrats about restarting the debate. But Sens. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) signaled through their spokesmen that they would be open to debating the background-check proposal again if Democrats make significant changes.
Meanwhile, aides to Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), who voted against the background check plan, disputed a new barrage of TV ads critical of her vote and said she remains opposed to the current bipartisan background check proposal.
Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gun-control-debate-may-return-as-republicans-signal-willingness-to-talk/2013/05/06/d7ab4844-b669-11e2-92f3-f291801936b8_story.html
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