By Richard Cowan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A U.S. Home of Representatives committee on Thursday will take up a invoice aimed toward toughening nationwide gun legal guidelines following the Texas college capturing that killed 19 younger kids and two lecturers, although the measure has little probability of passing the Senate.

The Home of Representatives Judiciary Committee will try and approve the 41-page “Defending Our Children Act” that might increase the authorized age for purchasing sure weapons to 21 from 18, clamp down on trafficking of weapons, and encourage their secure storage. It additionally would limit large-capacity ammunition feeding units.

Even when authorized by the committee, Democrats face an uphill struggle advancing it to President Joe Biden’s desk for enactment into legislation.

The complete Home had already handed laws increasing background checks on gun consumers. The measure bought the help of 219 Democrats however solely eight Republicans in March, 2021. The Senate shouldn’t be seen as having the mandatory 60 votes out of 100 to advance it.

In the meantime, a small bipartisan group of senators have been utilizing the week-long Memorial Day recess to find out whether or not they can provide you with a invoice that sufficient Republicans would embrace.

Senate Republican Chief Mitch McConnell this week mentioned such laws ought to cope with “psychological sickness and faculty security” issues which will have fueled the bloodbath final week on the Robb Elementary College in Uvalde, Texas.

It was unclear whether or not that might be broad sufficient for Democrats who’ve harder background checks excessive on their agenda and lots of of whom wish to ban rapid-fire assault sort weapons.

The Uvalde capturing was carried out by an 18-year-old gunman who used an AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle.