As the Senate approaches a vote on gun control legislation, amendments and changes in language threaten to hinder any attempts at meaningful reform. Right now, Senator Tom Coburn is advancing a change to the rules regarding background checks that would undermine much of the bill's intent.

The Senate is expected to start debate on the bill as early as April 17. Write your Senators now and implore them to ensure any legislation includes meaningful background checks. Then, use the Congressional switchboard at 202-224-3121 to amplify your message.

In a new post, George Zornick reports: "Senator Tom Coburn is pushing a ‘compromise’ that renders background checks virtually meaningless: transferees could use an online portal to self-check themselves, print out the approval, and bring it to a firearms dealer. It would also forbid any records of these checks."

This episode of Democracy Now! explores one of the most extreme local legislative efforts to address gun violence: Nelson, Georgia's so-called Family Protection Ordinance, which, far from requiring background checks, mandates a gun in every home in order to "provide for the emergency management of the city" and "protect the safety, security and general welfare of the city and its inhabitants."