Don't let the momentary interruption fool you, lawmakers on Capitol Hill have been able to submit a flurry of nationwide gun control proposals to be considered by the Democrat-controlled legislature. 

The 117th U.S. Congress gaveled into session this week, and at least a half-dozen anti-gun measures have been filed already with the House Judiciary Committee. The majority of those, four bills, were submitted by Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee, D-Texas, with the fifth and sixth filed by Reps. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., and Al Green, D-Texas, respectively.

Related: Republican Lawmakers Reboot Hearing Protection Act, Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act

While the proposed texts and summaries for these legislative measures are not yet available to the public, the titles seem largely self-explanatory and likely mimic bills previously submitted by the same lawmakers in past sessions. 

The proposals: 

H.R.30 - To increase public safety by punishing and deterring firearms trafficking.

H.R.121 - To provide for the hiring of 200 additional Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents and investigators to enforce gun laws.

H.R.125 - To amend Title 18, United States Code, to provide for a 7-day waiting period before a semiautomatic firearm, a silencer, armor piercing ammunition, or a large capacity ammunition magazine may be transferred.

H.R.127 - To provide for the licensing of firearm and ammunition possession and the registration of firearms, and to prohibit the possession of certain ammunition.

H.R.130 - To require the safe storage of firearms and ammunition, and to require the investigation of reports of improper storage of firearms or ammunition.

H.R.167 - To prohibit the transfer of a firearm at a gun show by a person who is not a federally licensed firearms dealer.

Meanwhile, additional and more sweeping bills are likely inbound. 

Congressman David Cicilline, a Rhode Island Democrat, has for the past two sessions entered his ambitious bid to reboot and expand the long-expired federal ban on “assault weapons” within the first few weeks of being sworn in.

His latest attempt, which expired in December without leaving committee, had 216 co-sponsors in a chamber where only 218 votes are needed to pass legislation. This was likely due to the fact that it faced certain demise in a then-Republican controlled Senate or on President Trump's desk. Last October, as he was seeking reelection, Cicilline ran on a promise to continue his gun control efforts if sent back to Congress to represent Little Rhody.

The current party breakdown of the House has Dems with a razor-thin 222-211 margin over Republicans. In the Senate, with the outcome of special run-off elections in Georgia decided this week, Dems will hold sway over a split 50-50 chamber. Vice President Kamala Harris will have the tie-breaking vote, and Sen. Chuck Schumer will be the expected Senate Majority Leader.

Banner photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com.

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