Abbreviated pundit roudup: Republicans fight logic on gun control, budget, and more

The New York Times:

A bill to ban assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines: 10 Democrats voted yes, eight Republicans voted no. A bill to require background checks on buyers in all gun sales, including from private sellers: 10 Democrats voted yes, eight Republicans voted no. A bill to stop illegal trafficking of firearms: 10 Democrats and one Republican voted yes, seven Republicans voted no.

Many Republicans claim to share the national concern over unabated violence, but, as the committee hearings showed, whenever there is an opportunity to do something about it, they find a way to object. [...] Many Republicans say they support the background check requirement, but they are demanding that no records be kept of whether the checks take place, which would render the bill unenforceable.

Given the certainty that Republicans will filibuster these bills on the floor, it could be very difficult to get the 60 votes necessary to give them an up-or-down vote. (The assault weapons ban may not even muster a simple majority in the face of the gun lobby's furious opposition.)

For more analysis, head below the fold.