Senators worry gun-related provisions in the bill will not garner Democratic support, dashing chances of passing what is otherwise a bipartisan bill, according to the report. The bill’s controversial provisions call for a full judicial hearing to ban a person from buying guns on the grounds of mental illness, but if the judge’s order expires, the ban would be lifted, according to the report.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) already indicated the provisions would keep him from supporting the bill, according to the report. He said he would support other parts of the bill, such as a provision that would treat rather than imprison mentally ill people who have committed crimes. Because the gun-control provisions would spark additional amendments — especially since many Democrats feel mental health reform is not a substitute for better gun control — they would slow the bill down, according to the report.
Sen. John Corryn (R-Texas) said he disagrees with “this whole idea that we’re not going to have a fulsome discussion about mental health and [the] problems it creates with the criminal justice system, housing and the healthcare field,” according to The Hill, but also indicated he is open to discussion changes and would like to find a solution.
Nonetheless, both Republicans and Democrats are still optimistic on reaching an agreement, according to the report.
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