Democratic Leaders Unlikely to Push Gun Control Issues Hard

Democrats are expecting gun control to be a major campaign issue in the upcoming elections but aren't expected to press hard for tougher controls in the wake of the Virginia Tech massacre, reports Whispers Editor Paul Bedard.

A key Democratic strategist today said that while House and Senate leaders are keen on the issue, voters and moderate members, or so-called blue dogs, aren't, and new gun control laws could end the party's grip on Congress.

"There really won't be much action on this on the national level," said a House strategist.

"Individual members might make it an issue back home, but the truth is that gun control and abortion are two issues that could hurt re-elections," added the strategist. Another official noted that building pressure for greater gun control is limited also because the new Democratic senator from Virginia, Jim Webb, is a gun owner who shoots at the National Rifle Association range in Northern Virginia.

Instead, some lawmakers and administration advisers are exploring another way to address the Virginia Tech issue, possibly by focusing instead on school safety and spending on programs to protect students. But so far, there are no congressional or White House proposals drafted on those topics.