Balance of Power: Las Vegas Massacre May Not Stop NRA's Gun Push

(Bloomberg) -- With Republicans in control of the White House and Congress, the National Rifle Association's push to loosen U.S. gun laws was on track for a banner year.

Then Las Vegas happened.

The deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history -- which left 59 dead and more than 500 wounded -- has stalled the NRA's agenda. House Republican leaders are reconsidering plans to vote soon on legislation that would make it easier to get gun silencers, amid outrage from gun control advocates and Democrats.

“Imagine the deaths if the shooter had a silencer,” 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton tweeted.

Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy, whose state was the site of the 2012 shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School, said he'll reintroduce a background check bill.

“To my colleagues: Your cowardice to act cannot be whitewashed by thoughts and prayers,” he tweeted at Republicans.

Ultimately few minds are likely to change. Even Steve Scalise — the House Republican whip who was gravely injured in a June shooting — showed no signs of backing down from his pro-gun stance. His statement didn't even mention gun control.

President Donald Trump didn't either when he offered condolences. He plans to travel to Las Vegas Wednesday - after meeting today with storm victims in Puerto Rico. Unless he has a change of heart, don't expect the NRA to be sidelined for long.

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--With assistance from Chris Fournier

To contact the author of this story: Kathleen Hunter in London at khunter9@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Michael Winfrey at mwinfrey@bloomberg.net, Karl Maier