Sen. John Cornyn Still Flirting With Background Check Bill

(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Sen. John Cornyn represents the state of Texas, that state probably thought of by many as the most pro-gun state in the nation. The same state anti-gunners threw everything they could at to flip it blue so they could pass gun control, only to have it blow up in their face.

Advertisement

Texas is the kind of state you’d think would have lawmakers who would have learned from that little fiasco.

It seems, however, that Cornyn didn’t.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) is still seeking “compromise language” for Democrat gun control, the Washington Post reported.

On April 20, 2021, Breitbart News pointed to Politico’s claim that Cornyn was talking gun control behind the scenes with Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT).

Cornyn was having “quiet conversations” with Murphy for the purposes of “[finding] common ground,” Politico indicated.

On May 16, 2021, the Post observed that Cornyn’s talks with Murphy are ongoing, saying, “Some Republicans, including Cornyn, have said they generally favor background checks and have been actively talking with Murphy about compromise language that would not go as far as the House versions but could close some loopholes.”

Cornyn admitted the talks were taking place, but suggested no middle ground has yet to be found. “There’s nothing right now to say other than we are still talking,” he said.

The thing is, admitting you’re still talking is bad enough all on its own.

Advertisement

When it comes to gun control, being open to discussions isn’t something that can even be tolerated. If I thought Cornyn was intentionally wasting Murphy’s time, then maybe, but Cornyn has made it clear that he’s open to further Second Amendment infringements. He’s not wasting time, he’s negotiating, and that’s a problem.

See, the issue is that Cornyn is willing to negotiate our rights away, yet what’s he going to get? What is there for the gun community to get in return? In exchange for not being able to buy and sell firearms between law-abiding citizens freely, what? What do we get?

It’s not like Murphy is going to get his fellow Democrats to back off on an assault weapon ban. He’s not going to back legalizing suppressors. He’s not going to repeal the National Firearms Act of 1934 or the Gun Control Act of 1968, so what? What will we get?

Nothing.

Sen. John Cornyn isn’t negotiating to get us a better deal. He’s sitting there dealing away our rights, with the only compromise being simply that they don’t take as many rights away. Well, I’ve got a better idea. Why doesn’t Cornyn uphold our rights like he swore to do when he took office? “Support and defend the Constitution,” right?

Advertisement

To do that, you don’t negotiate away people’s rights. You don’t add more and more restrictions on a constitutionally protected right simply because the media says it polls well. Hell, half the people don’t think there’s any background check system to speak of anyway.

The issue here is simple. Sen. John Cornyn, by being open to talking with Murphy on this issue, has betrayed the people who elected him. What’s more, he isn’t up for reelection until 2027, so he thinks he has time to get away with it, too.

On an additional note, his office number is (202) 224-2934.

Just in case anyone needs that.

Join the conversation as a VIP Member