A Gun-Control Win for Dems as Likely Failure Looms

The fruits of Sen. Chris Murphy's almost 15-hour filibuster labor will be tasted beginning at 5:30pm Monday, as the Senate votes on four gun-control bills, with each needing 60 votes to advance. A primer on the proposals, introduced in the wake of the Orlando massacre:

• NBC News details the four proposals being considered: two (one GOP, one Dem) deal with background checks, and two (same split) relate to the sale of guns to those who have been investigated for terrorism or are on a terror watchlist. It predicts the first bills will be DOA but the second set could result in compromise. Here's why.
• Politico is less optimistic, saying Americans shouldn't expect much more than "political theater" Monday night. Still, it explains why the fact the votes are even happening is a "win for Democrats."
• Part of that political theater? USA Today reports Bernie Sanders will cast his first Senate vote since January.

• USA Today reminds us when the Senate last voted on gun control: In December, immediately after the San Bernardino shooting—and that's "become a pattern."
• Not just timing but failure is an aspect of that pattern, with CBS News noting that not one of more than 100 gun control proposals considered by Congress since the January 2011 Tucson shooting of Gabby Giffords have become law.
• Sen. Susan Collins to the rescue? Maybe. She's working on a compromise bill that's not yet ready for primetime and discusses it with NPR.
• The New York Times asks "four key questions" related to the votes.
• The Guardian points out that it's also a big day for Sandy Hook victims' families, who are in court Monday. More on their lawsuit here.

(More gun control stories.)