Political Pulse is a weekly column with the goal of giving objective, to-the-point information to readers on current political events.

Gun control law proposed

The gun control debate had another layer added to it Wednesday night when President Donald Trump signalled his support for strengthening background checks and raising the minimum age to buy guns.

He also stated his support for preventing those with mental illness from buying guns. “Take the guns first, go through due process second,” Trump said in his second meeting with lawmakers where media were allowed, where he also claimed to be the NRA’s “biggest fan.”

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) discusses gun violence after the Las Vegas shooting, at the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 3, 2017. Murphy co-sponsored the Fix NICS Act, which would punish federal agencies that don’t submit criminal records to the national criminal background check system for firearms. Credit: Courtesy of TNS

In addition to the president’s public support for stricter gun control measures, Congress is set to vote on a gun control legislation proposed by a Democrat, though members of the party appear ready to oppose it.

The Fix NICS Act, co-sponsored by Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy from Connecticut, would punish federal agencies that don’t submit criminal records to the national criminal background check system for firearms.

Democratic leaders have bashed the bill on the Senate floor this week.

“What will prevent future tragedy? Comprehensive background checks will. The Fix NICS bill will not,” Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday. “Let’s not set our sights too narrow or squander this moment.”

Murphy’s vocal passion regarding the bill has shifted following the Feb. 14 shooting in Parkland, Florida. In November, he hailed the bill as the most important piece of bipartisan gun legislation since Manchin-Toomey, a 2013 bill that failed to pass the Senate, which would have required background checks on all commercial gun sales.

Now, following the tragic massacre, a majority of Democrats are seeking more comprehensive gun legislation than the bill Murphy has proposed.

If Congress passes any new gun laws, it is clear there will have to be bipartisan support.

Akron seeks to ban assault weapons

Akron has officially become the first city in Ohio to call on the Ohio legislature to ban assault weapons and related equipment, according to WOSU.

Akron City Councilwoman Tara Mosley-Samples introduced the resolution, which passed at a council meeting Monday night.

The resolution is not law, but instead calls on the Ohio legislature, which has stopped cities from regulating guns locally, to outlaw the sale of semi-automatic rifles.

In addition to the ban on guns, the bill also calls for limiting gun magazines to no more than 10 rounds, and prohibiting bump stocks and trigger cranks, which allow semi-automatic weapons to fire more rapidly.

According to the Akron Beacon Journal, Mosley-Samples made a motion to vote on the resolution 30 minutes into Monday’s meeting. All council members, except Bob Hocht and Donnie Kammer, voted for the resolution.

“No more prayers and condolences without action,” Mosley-Samples said Monday.