Why is the Senate sitting on this bipartisan bill (supported by the NRA) to reduce Gun deaths

It sounds like a unicorn - a piece of legislation exists that may help reduce gun deaths that:

• is supported by Republicans
• is supported by Democrats
• is supported by the NRA

Known as the Fix NICS Act of 2017, it has been sitting in Congress since November 2017 working its way through the House and the Senate. 

The legislation followed the shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The shooter in that case was able to pass FBI background checks and purchase firearms because the Air Force failed to share his disqualifying criminal records with the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). The shooting left 26 people dead.

Here are comments from 2 Republicans and 2 Democrats supporting the bill:

“All too often we come to the conclusion that horrible situations could have been prevented with thorough and complete reporting,” said Sen Scott. “As we tragically found out after the heartbreaking shooting at Mother Emanuel, we know the devastation that can manifest if gaps in reporting allow a madman with a criminal history to obtain a weapon. While we cannot legislate against pure evil, we most certainly should do all we can to ensure these individuals do not have access to any type of firearm. This is a commonsense solution that can fix the reporting gaps, and most importantly, has the potential to save countless innocent lives.”

“These provisions will help enforce public safety protections that could mean the difference between life and death. Non-reporting now puts people at lethal risk—riddling a system that should keep guns away from killers with gaping holes. The federal background check program is only as good as the information that is provided to it,” Sen. Blumenthal said.  “Mass murderers in Sutherland Springs, Charleston, and Blacksburg were legally prohibited from accessing firearms, but gaps in NICS allowed each of them to walk out of a gun store with the weapons used to commit their crimes. Our bipartisan legislation will incentivize states, and hold federal agencies accountable, to build robust reporting systems that can prevent the sale of firearms to people who are a danger to themselves or others.

“For years agencies and states haven’t complied with the law, failing to upload these critical records without consequence,” Sen. Cornyn said.

“This deal will strengthen the background check system and save lives. Our bill marks an important milestone that shows real compromise can be made on the issue of guns. I’m grateful that Senator Cornyn was such a strong partner and straightforward negotiator,” said Sen. Murphy. “It represents the strongest update to the background checks system in a decade.”

The is an old saying "Time is money". In this case "Time is lives". 

17 lives just came to a premature end in a Florida school shooting.

No matter how good a piece of legislation is - it will save zero lives if it is never passed.

There is no reason why Democrats and Republicans cannot pass this bill NOW while they argue and blame each other for the Florida school shooting.

Did I say it is even supported by the NRA.

Tell Congress (Democrats & Republicans) to do their job and pass this legislation ASAP.