More Republican Senators say they are OPEN to passing federal background checks and red-flag laws on guns as Democrats try to get 10 GOP members on side to beat the filibuster

• More Republican senators say they are open to red flag laws on guns in the wake of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School 
• Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine, whose state has a red flag law, said it's a good bipartisan path forward 
• Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas said he was open to it 
• Republican Senator Pat Toomey said he is talking to senators about expanding background checks to all commercial gun sales 

More Republican senators say they are open to red flag laws on guns in the wake of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School that resulted in the deaths of at least 19 children and two adults.

A federal red flag law would allow authorities to temporarily take guns away from people considered to be a threat to themselves or others. Several states have similar laws on the books.

Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine, whose state has a red flag law, said it's a good bipartisan path forward. 

'I believe that we should look at enacting a red flag law based on the one we have in Maine, which has due process rights and involves a medical professional in the decision,' she said Tuesday. 'I don't know the details of the shooter, but it's hard to believe he wasn't mentally ill.'

Collins, along with Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, negotiated a red flag bill after two 2019 mass shootings in San Antonio and Dayton, Ohio - but it failed to garner the necessary GOP votes to move foward.

Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas also signaled an openess on the matter.

'There's a whole list of things that we can consider but, I think, particularly, mental health, access to mental health treatment, is high on that list,' he said. 

He said he will speak to Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut on red flag laws. Murphy has taken the lead on negotiations for Democrats. 

'I'm hopeful there is there's growing momentum. But I have had failed plenty of times before,' Murphy said on Thursday.

And Republican Senator Pat Toomey said Thursday that he hopes to talk to Cornyn and Murphy about expanding background checks to all commercial gun sales.

He conceded he doesn't have 60 votes on the issue but told reporters on Capitol Hill he thinks he can get there. 

Many lawmakers think a red flag law has a better chance of becoming law than expanded background checks or address loopholes on waiting periods. Bills on those matters is being discussed but appears less likely to garner the 10 Republicans votes that Democrats need to move legislation forward in the Senate.

Nineteen states currently have red flag laws, including in GOP-controlled states such as Florida and Indiana. 

Republican support will be necessary as Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema have both said they won't support removing the filibuster on this issue to advance any legislation.

Both of them said hey would work with Republicans on a bipartisan measure.

'I'm going to start having conversations again with colleagues on both sides of the aisle,' said Sinema. 'If there is a chance for us to do something to help make it safer for kids in this country, we owe it to the country to do it for real, not just talking points.' 

But many Democrats are pessimistic they can garner they Republican votes they need.

'I do not think on this issue there are 10 Republicans that are serious about doing the things that will make us safer,' said Democratic Senator Cory Booker. 

He described lawmakers' reaction to mass shootings a 'perverse version of Groundhog Day, where we are literally seeing this over and over and over again with nothing changing.' 

Americans seem to agree. They have little hope in Congress' ability to solve the problem, with a Reuters/Ipsos poll on Tuesday showing that just 35% believe lawmakers will act. 

Discussions are expected to take place throughout the Capitol on Thursday - the last day senators are in town ahead of their two-week Memorial Day recess. 

President Joe Biden challenged lawmakers to tighten nation's gun laws in a speech at the White House on Wednesday.

He asked 'where's the backbone' and 'where's the courage to stand up to a very powerful lobby,' which is a reference to the gun industry.

'The idea that an 18 year old can walk into a store, and buy weapons of war, designed and marketed to kill, is I think just wrong. It just violates common sense. Even the manufacturer, the inventor of that weapon thought that as well. You know, where is the backbone? Where is the courage? To stand up to a very powerful lobby?,' he said.

Biden has been pushing for Congress to reup the expired assault weapons ban.

The federal assault weapons ban, which was in effect from 1994 to 2004, likely would have included the AR-style rifle the shooter at Robb Elementary school used.