But we start with what happened at a 4th
of July parade in a suburb of Chicago.
A gunman opened fire.
His family celebrated, killing seven
people and wounding dozens more.
The mass shooting came days
after Congress passed significant
gun safety legislation for the
first time in three decades.
Some Democrats argue it's not enough,
but can they get a tougher bill?
We asked former state Senator Wendy Davis,
who joins us from Austin.
First of all, I want to
welcome you to the program.
And get your thoughts on what we saw
earlier this weekend in Highland Park.
You know it's just unfathomable.
Honestly, that this has become
a normal in American Society.
I'm a grandmother now of two
daughters and two granddaughters and.
Just this overwhelming idea that
they're not safe no matter where
they go and how wholesome the
activity they're participating in
is just incredibly sobering and
and terrifying at the same time.
We pass. The most sweeping gun
reform legislation in 30 years,
and yet it doesn't seem as if
Republicans or Democrats are
are celebrating. Why is that?
You know, for me, it felt a little bit
like to one step forward, 2 steps back,
because of course that very same week
the US Supreme Court handed down a
decision that limited the way that
states could have safer communities
and could make sure that we had
more responsible than ownership.
So it was a bit of a move forward and
then that way it's absolutely worth
celebrating because it's been decades.
Literally, since we've seen any movement
in Congress but at the same time,
it just feels so little compared to the
magnitude of the problem in this country.
Do you think there's an appetite?
From progressives in the Democratic
Party who who generally want to
swing for the fences to that kind
of slow deliberative build to
achieve something that that maybe
years if not decades down the road.
Just burn it down and and find
quick solutions is real and
strong and I I feel the same way,
but I've been involved in this
long enough to understand that.
We only have the ability to get through
and change issues like this based on
our political systems and if we play
a role of vital role in doing that,
we can move the needle forward.
Do you think along those lines that
the Supreme Court overturning Roe V
Wade will take away a rallying cry
on the Republican side and perhaps
motivate more Democrats to turn out?
I think it will be very
motivating not just for Democrats,
but for people across the political spectrum.
Independents and moderate
Republicans as well right now.
Of course, most people are really concerned,
justifiably so, about the economy
and the question lies ahead.
Will that concern outweigh the
concerns that people might have
about the safety of their families?
Because then happening with
the military assault style?
Happen murders?
Will it be enough to overcome
people's concerns about the
restriction on reproductive rights?
You know, we won't know really.
Until November,
the first election that will have an
opportunity to really express our upset.
Davis, thank you very much for
your time. Thank you, Chris.