Monday morning news - June 6, 2022

For WORLD Radio, I'm Kent Covington. 

Bipartisan talks on gun legislation continue » Lawmakers on Capitol Hill continue to debate new gun legislation following a wave of mass shootings.

GOP Sen. Pat Toomey is part of a bipartisan group of senators looking for common ground on the issue. He told CBS’ Face the Nation…

TOOMEY: This is a moving target, if you will. We’re still in discussions.

Connecticut Democrat, Sen. Chris Murphy, told CNN he’s never been a part of negotiations on gun legislation as serious as these.

MURPHY: We are talking about a meaningful change in our gun laws, a major investment in mental health, perhaps some money for school security, that would make a difference.

He said among the possible measures that are on the table right now are red flag laws and some changes to existing background checks.

But he said measures not on the table right now include new comprehensive background checks or an assault weapons ban.

At least six people killed and dozens wounded in pair of shootings » Some lawmakers on Sunday pointed to a pair of shootings over the weekend as the latest examples of why Congress must take action.

Gunfire killed at least six people and wounded dozens in a pair of separate incidents in two cities.

The first shooting occurred in a popular entertainment district in downtown Philadelphia Saturday night. Bullets struck at least 14 people, killing at least three.

Police and witnesses described “several active shooters” firing into a crowd.

Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw told reporters on Sunday:

OUTLAW: At this time, we believe that one of the three decedents was a male involved in a physical altercation with another male that was potentially the genesis of the shooting.

Hours later in Chattanooga, Tennessee, gunfire wounded 14 and killed at least three people near a nightclub. Three others were struck by cars as drivers sped away from the chaotic scene.

Over 50 feared dead in Nigeria church attack, officials say » Terrorists attacked a Catholic church in Nigeria on Sunday. Gunmen opened fire and detonated explosives, killing dozens of worshipers. WORLD’s Josh Schumacher has more.

JOSH SCHUMACHER, REPORTER: The attackers targeted the St. Francis Catholic Church in southwestern Nigeria. Officials say the death toll could top 50, including many children.

The terrorists also abducted the presiding priest.

Videos appearing to be from the scene of the attack showed a heartbreaking scene. Worshippers laid in pools of blood as people around them wailed.

It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack.

Nigerian Christians have continued to suffer violent attacks from Muslim extremists in recent months.

President Muhammadu Buhari said Sunday—quote—“No matter what, this country shall never give in to evil and wicked people, and darkness will never overcome light.”

Reporting for WORLD, I’m Josh Schumacher.

Biden administration on the defensive over surging gas prices » Drivers are digging even deeper into their pockets to fill up their tanks.

The national average is now $4.85 a gallon for regular unleaded.

That’s up 24 cents from a week ago, 60 cents from a month ago. And gas is up a staggering $1.80 from this time last year.

The continued price surge has the Biden administration playing defense. White House adviser Gene Sperling blamed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

SPERLING: We’re dealing with an almost unprecedented foreign policy aggression that is roiling international gas prices.

Meanwhile Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg on ABC’s This Week pointed to oil companies.

BUTTIGIEG: And when an oil company is deciding hour by hour how much to charge you for a gallon of gas, they’re not calling the administration to ask what they should do. They’re doing it based on their goal of maximizing their profit.

But Republicans, like Sen. John Barrasso, say President Biden’s energy policies are largely responsible.

BARRASSO: We need to use American energy. We have it in the ground. He won’t let us get it out. But I think Joe Biden actually wants high gasoline prices so he can force people into electric vehicles.

Barrasso on Sunday criticized the Biden administration for canceling a series of oil leases in his home state of Wyoming.

I’m Kent Covington.

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