WASHINGTON (AP) — Calls from some Democrats for tougher gun control laws in the wake of the Colorado shooting rampage have run smack into the political reality that Congress hasn’t passed strict legislation in more than a decade and has no plans to act this election year.

“No matter what piece of idea that comes forward … policy is always better when you study and shoot for a solution than shoot for a political answer,” Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California, the No. 3 Republican in the House, told reporters Monday. “And knowing what political nature we’re in right now and knowing we’re coming just after the weekend, I’d like to focus on the families first. But I’d like to have all the facts before we move legislation.”