Mitch McConnell signals support for bipartisan Senate gun bill

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday said he supports the bipartisan gun framework and plans on voting for the legislation, likely ensuring that the bill will overcome a filibuster. 

"For myself, I’m comfortable with the framework and if the legislation ends up reflecting what the framework indicates, I’ll be supportive," McConnell told reporters, per The Hill.

The ten other Senate Republicans who have signaled support for the bipartisan framework are Sens. Bill Cassidy (La.), Susan Collins (Maine), Roy Blunt (Mo.), Thom Tillis (N.C.), Richard Burr (N.C.), Rob Portman (Ohio), Pat Toomey (Pa.), Lindsey Graham (S.C.), Mitt Romney (Utah), and lead GOP negotiator John Cornyn (Texas).

The bill is likely to have the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster as all Democrats are expected to support the legislation.

Negotiations began in response to the mass shootings last month in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas, that left more than 30 people dead, including 19 elementary school children.

Sen. Chris Murphy, the Connecticut Democrat who helped lead negotiations on the framework, said the deal would provide mental health funding, increase school safety, expand background checks, and prohibit dating partners convicted of domestic violence from owning firearms.

Cornyn on Tuesday said the framework would have prevented the Uvalde shooting.

"If the background check had included juvenile law enforcement and mental health data, [it is] unlikely he would have been able to pass and purchase the firearms he used," the Texas Republican tweeted.