After Shooting, Congress Weighs Gun Restrictions ‘Tougher Than Clinton-Era Law’

As we’ve reported, congressional gun-control advocates such as Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y., are preparing to launch a fresh campaign to place new restrictions on guns, including a ban on high-capacity magazines like the one Jared Lee Loughner used to shoot 20 people in Arizona last weekend.

But Politico now notes that McCarthy’s proposed legislation “goes further” than the Clinton-era ban on assault weapons that expired in 2004 which outlawed the “sale or transfer of clips that hold more than ten rounds.” What’s more, McCarthy seeks to install a retroactive ban, outlawing those clips obtained before the possible law even takes effect.

“The only purpose for the existence of these devices is to be able to shoot as many people as possible as quickly as possible,” McCarthy wrote in a letter to her House colleagues. “There is no reason that these devices should be available to the general public.”

McCarthy isn‘t the only federal legislator taking advantage of the shooting’s aftermath to push more strict gun regulations. Three other New York representatives are following suit, each introducing their own bills, and Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., has pledged to propose a companion bill to McCarthy’s in the Senate.

The measures face an uphill battle in the new Republican-controlled House and an aide to John Boehner, R-Ohio, said it’s unlikely that the Speaker would support them.

Sarah Brady, the wife of former Reagan White House Press Secretary James Brady, who was gunned down during a 1981 attempt on the president’s life, is also calling for new gun restrictions in the wake of the Tucson shooting. The outspoken gun-control advocate appears in a new video calling for renewed efforts for reform:

While Democrats — and some Republicans — on Capitol Hill are pushing for renewed efforts to place limits on guns, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs downplayed the respective bills being considered and offered no speculation over whether President Barack Obama would support the measures.

Gibbs did, however, reaffirm Obama’s support for the Clinton-era ban on assault weapons and promised that any piece of legislation would be carefully considered.

“Obviously we are and have been focused on the important healing process. We will have an opportunity to evaluate ideas and proposals that may be brought forth as a result of the circumstances and the facts in this case,” Gibbs said. “The president, again, since I have been with him in 2004, supports the assault weapons ban and we continue to do so. And I think we all strive regardless of party to ensure that we are doing everything we can to reduce violence. We will have an opportunity to evaluate some of the other proposals.”