Sliver of light at the end of the gun-control tunnel

As the week came to a close, it appeared that some members of Congress had finally woken up to the fact that they’re in Washington to work on behalf of the American people. Thus, amid the clatter of partisan politics, a small but determined number of Republicans and Democrats in the Senate and House came together to fashion narrowly defined gun-control legislation.

The aim of the two measures not only makes sense but reflects the attitude of the citizenry: Bar firearm sales to individuals who are monitored by the federal government for links to terrorism.

Although it’s a leap of faith to envision the Republican-controlled Senate and House passing any gun-control measures when members of Congress return to work after the July 4 break, hope springs eternal for us

There are two reasons for cautious optimism: One, a majority of Americans say they support expansion of background checks for gun ownership; two, this month’s terror attack in an Orlando gay nightclub has once again turned the spotlight on Congress’ failure to act.

GRIM TOLL OF MASS KILLINGS

Chicago Tribune Columnist Rex Huppke, whose writings occasionally appear on this page, has compiled a list of killings over the past four years.

Consider:

Dec. 14, 2012: Newtown school shooting, 28 killed and two wounded.

April 21, 2013: Apartment shooting in Washington state, Five killed.

June 7, 2013: Santa Monica rampage, six killed and three wounded.

July 26, 2013: Apartment shooting in Florida, seven killed.

Sept. 16, 2013: Washington Navy Yard shooting, 12 killed and eight wounded.

Feb. 20, 2014: Tribal shooting in California, four killed and two wounded.

April 3, 2014: Fort Hood shooting, three killed and 12 wounded.

May 23, 2014: Isla Vista, Calif., shooting spree, six killed and 13 wounded.

Oct. 24, 2014: Marysville-Pilchuck High School shooting in Washington state, five killed and one wounded.

June 11, 2015: Trestle Trail bridge shooting in Wisconsin, three killed and one wounded.

June 17, 2015: Charleston church shooting, nine killed and one wounded.

July 16, 2015: Chattanooga military recruitment center, five killed and two wounded.

Oct. 1, 2015: Umpqua Community College shooting in Oregon, nine killed and nine wounded.

Oct. 31, 2015: Colorado Springs shooting spree, three killed.

Nov. 27, 2015: Colorado Planned Parenthood shooting, three killed and nine wounded.

Dec. 2, 2015: San Bernardino mass shooting, 14 killed and 21 wounded.

Feb. 20, 2016: Kalamazoo shooting spree, six killed and two wounded.

Feb. 25, 2016: Excel Industries shooting in Kansas, three killed and 14 wounded.

June 12, 2016: Orlando nightclub massacre, 49 killed and 53 injured.

Yet, Congress has failed to act.

But Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who has succeeded in forging a bipartisan compromise, isn’t giving up. Although her legislation was sidetracked with a procedural vote Thursday, Collins rightly believes that support will grow.

The bill would block gun sales to people on the government’s no-fly list and to those required to undergo extensive examination before boarding a plane.

In the House, a bipartisan measure similar to the one being pushed by Sen. Collins of Maine, was introduced Friday. Five Republicans and four Democrats have attached their names to the measure and have made it clear that the fight for passage has only just begun.

“The pressure will be continuous, it will be respectful, but we’re not going to let go of this,” said Rep. Scott Rigell, R-Va.

Rigell and his colleagues aren’t underestimating the political power and influence of the National Rifle Association. The congressman acknowledged they must show that their support from colleagues “eclipses that of the NRA.”

While GOP leaders in Congress were bobbing and weaving on the issue of gun control, Democrats grabbed headlines with their 26-hour sit-in protest in the House of Representatives. Dozens of them remained on the floor of the House all night.

Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., a veteran of the civil-rights movement, said what occurred last week is a struggle that will go on indefinitely.

“We’re going to win this struggle,” said Lewis, who led the sit-in.