House Passes Gun Bill, Unlikely to Clear Senate

Image copyright: The New York Times

The Facts

  • The House on Wed. voted 223-204 to pass gun legislation raising the minimum age to buy a semi-automatic rifle to 21 and banning ammunition magazines holding more than 15 rounds.

  • The vote demonstrated the continued divide over gun laws, with all but five Republicans voting against the bill and all but two Democrats voting in favor.


The Spin

Republican narrative

The party now calling for gun control is the same party that was recently calling to defund the police. Who's supposed to protect us when first responders can't? We shouldn't be banning guns, we should be getting rid of gun-free zones and funding non-partisan firearm education programs to help protect ourselves from evil actors.

Democratic narrative

The family members of the victims who came out to testify so soon after enduring such a devastating loss are a testament to courage and selflessness. If only the Republican members of Congress could summon these qualities and stand up to the gun lobby to support sensible gun reforms, as wanted by the majority of the American public.

Cynical narrative

In incidents like these, both the right and left talk extensively about how to prevent these tragedies. But sadly their words don't translate into actions that curb the violence.


Metaculus Prediction


Political split

LEFT

RIGHT

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